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(|0tiJ9r^j9ati0naI ^ttarl^rlg. 



VOLUME I. 




CangTEfiational Hifatais assatfatio 



Urn tit can Congitsattanal IQnion, 



Rkv^.. JOSEPH S. CLARK, D.D., HENRY M. DEXTER, ALONZO H. QUINT, 
AND ISAAC P. LANGWORTHY. 



BOSTON : 

UOSGREGATIONAL BUILDING, CHAUNCY STREET. 

NEW YORK ; 

JtOOMS OF AMERICAN CONOREOATIONAL UNION, 

S48 BROADWAY. 

1869. 



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PEE88 OP EDWJLED L. BALCif, 
No. M School Street. Ikwtou. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



American Congregational Union : 

Hiitorical sketch of,.... •....••.59 

Monthly meetings of, 231,420 

Proceedings and Annual Report of,... .321 

American Home Missionary Society, and 
the New School General Assembly,... .359 

Arehitecture and Christian Principle,.... 373 

Biographical Notes: (See Obituaries, also.) 

Adams, 270 

Allen, 47, 266 

Austin, .44 

Ballantine, 43 

Barker, 41 

Barnard, ..41 

Barton, 47 

Ball, 265 

Braman, 44 

Briggs, 44 

Chamberlain, 268 

Cheever, 235 

Cutler, 47 

Dana, i 42 

Daris, 52 

Dorrance, 44 

Dutch 47 

Bmerson, 46 

Fitch, 54 

Oo£fc 47 

Gould 47 

Hale, 39,265 

Hall, 268 

Hayes, 44 

Holt, 39 

Huntingdon, 45 

Hutchinson, 269 

Hyde, 43,268 

Judaon, 43, 567 

Keep, 47 

Lee, 39 

Litchfield, 41 

Lyman, 40 

Martin, 268 

Maverick, 148 

Mead, 47 

Messinger, 267 

Moore, 45 



Peabody, 41,268 

Perley, ••.47 

Pond, 267 

Pope, 45 

Reynolds, 41 

Tompkins, ...41 

Snell, 47 

Spalding, .44 

Spring, 44 

Stearns, 45 

Stone, ? 269 

Sumner, 42 

Turner, 46 

Ward, 41 

Warham, 143 

Wells, 43 

West, 41 

White, 46 

Whitney, 42 

Willard, 40 

Wood, 270 

Woodbridge, 46 

Worcester, .45 

Biographical Sketches : 

Mather, Cotton, (with portrait,) 233 

Phillips. William, (with portrait,) 13a 

Prince, Thomas, (with portrait,) 1 

Richmond, Gilbert 397 

Sawyer, John, 62 

Wicklitfe, John 278 

Woods, Leonard, (with portrait,) 105 

Books Noticed : 

Adams' Great Concern, .409 

Agnes, or the Little Key, 217 

Alford's Greek Testament, 310 

Autocrat of the Breakfast Tabic, 410 

Atonement, Edwards', &c., 309 

Bibliotheca Sacra, 311 

Catharine, 217 

Clark's ( J. S.) Congregational Churches 

of Massachusetts, 409 

Clark's (G. F.) History of Norton. ....410 
Cleavcland's Compendium of American 

Literature, 31 1 

Congregational Hymn and Tune Book,. 218 
Eloquence a Virtue, •• 310 



^. 



IV 



Contents. 



Havcn*s Mental Thilosophy, 215 

" Moral Philosophy, 408 

Hovcy's Life of Backus, 21G 

" State of the Impenitent Dead,. 217 

Lcc*is Eschatology, • 311 

Mansel's Limits of Religious Thought,. 809 

Masson's British Novelists, 410 

" Life of Milton, 216 

Minutes of General Associations,... 411-12 

Old South Prayer Meeting, 218 

Puritan Hymn and Tunc Book, 310 

Sabbath Hymn Book, 89 

Sawyer's New Testament, 94 

Seini-Centennial Celebration of Andover 

Theological Seminary, 311 

Stuart*8 llomans, 217 

Taylor's Revealed Theology, 409 

Thompson's Memoir of David T. Stod- 
dard, 95 

Thornton's Anglo American Coloniza- 
tion 310 

Uhden's New England Theocracy, 95 

Catechising, •• 393 

Church extension, early methods of....... 53 

Church plans, (sec Meeting-houses,) 186, 

300,369 
Churches and Ministers in Windham 

Co., Ct., 264, 350 

Churches formed, lists of, . . 100, |29, 318, 419 

Churches, their Numbering 135 

Congregational Library Association : 

Historical Sketch of, 70 

Proceedings and Annual Report of,.. • .327 

Quarterly meetings of, 104, 232, 430 

Congregational State Associations 228 

Congregational Union of England and 

Wales, publications of, 17S 

Congregationalism in Western New York, 151 
Congregationalism, its adaptation for the 

^. work nf Home Missions, 311 

Congregationalism, its Features and Su- 
periorities, 17 

Deacon, the of&ce of, 66 

Editorial Notes 104, 232, 320, 420 

Indians, Did the Pilgrims wrong the, ....129 

Index, 421 

Massachusetts General Association, his- 
torical sketch of, • ...38 

Mather, Cotton, sketch of the life of, 233 

Meeting Houses, considered Historically 

and Suggestively, 186 

Ministers, old Way of Supporting, 1«)8 

'* ordained or installed, lists of, . .100, 

230, 318,419 

•« married, lists of,. .103, 231, 319. 419 

*' dismissed, lists of, 100, 230, 318, 419 

deceased, lists of,. .103. 231, 320, 419 

Necrology, Congregational,.. 96, 218, 312,412 

Norton's Orthodox Evangelist, 73 



Obituaries : 

Ball, Rev. Charles B., 225 

Bates, Rev. William, 418 

Bloomer, Rev. Joseph, 96 

Braman, Rev. Isaac...... 223 

Brown, Rev. Joshua R., 90 

Chapman, Rev. Nathaniel, .96 

Demond, AlpheuB, 4W 

Falrchild,Rcv. JoyH., 314 

Farwell, Rev. John E., 311 

Field, Mrs. C. La G 227 

FUgg, Rev. William D., 316 

Goodale, Dea. David, 230 

Hall, Rev. Thomas 313 

Hubbard, Rev. Austin O., 412 

Kitchel, Mrs. Ann S., 98 

Mann, Rev. Cyrus, 226 

Newell, Rev. Gad 314 

Richards, Rev. John, D.D., 316 

Richmond, Gilbert, (see 397,) 315 

Robbins, Dea. Josiah, 225 

Seagrave, Mrs. Martha E., 21S 

Stearns, Madame Abigail, 221 

Taylor, Rev. Timothy A., 96 

Tripp, Dea. Samuel, 226 

Tufts, Dea. Jamca, il8 

Webster, Dea. Moses, 210 

Wells, Rev. Nathaniel, 224 

White, Rev. Henrj', 312 

White, Rev. Luther R., 98 

White, Mrs. Pamelia G., W., 99 

Wolcott. Dea. Elihu, 413 

Worcester, Rev. Samuel A., ••41o 

Pastor and People, their Civil and Eccle- 
siastical Connection, 16a 

Phillips, William, Sketch of the Life of,.. 332 

Prince, Thomas, Sketch of the Life of, 1 

Richmond, Gilbert, Sketch of the Life of, 397 

Sabbath, The Puritan, 271 

Sawyer, John. Sketch of the Life of, 62 

Seminaries,! Congregational Theological 

in the United States 181 

<* Cong. Theological, in England, 389 
«< Presbyterian, in the U. States, 185 
Statistics : 

American Ecclesiastical, 124. 296, 385 

Congregational, for 1858, 77 

«• " 1859, (in part,). ...411 

<* of Massachusetts, 320 

M issionary, • . 372 

Mortuary, of graduates of Andover 

Theological Seminary, 357 

Statistics, advice upon, 320 

*' what and how to be collected, 135 

Ventilation, 300,369 

WickliflFe, John, his Life and Opinions,. . .278 

Windham Co., Ct., Churches in, 264, 360 

Woods, Leonard, Sketch of the Life of,. .105 
{See Index, p, 421.; 



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iiuuiuBcripi^ eiiaer puDUsnea in Mew Kng- is piously recorded underneath. His pj 

land, or perUdning to its History and Fub- sion for collecting books evidently showt 

lie Affain, to whieh collection I have given itself in childhood ; and it is nowise h 

the name of the New England Library'." probable that he already owned a respe 

He might in truth intimate that much table library, as to numbers, when he h 

cf lua lifetime had been devoted to these came a Freshman at Cambridge. It 

1 



THE 



(l{0nur^jgati0nd ^mvttvli^. 



Vol. I.— JANUARY, 1859.— No. L 



THOMAS PRINCE. 

▲ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, BT RET. J. X. WLSVUfQ, B08T0K. 

It has been urged that this Periodical, labors — into which an Association of Chriv- 
considering the character and objects con- tian scholars has at length entered — for his 
templated for it, should have the name undertaking was carried through a period 
and portrait of the Rev. Thomas Prince, of more than fifty-five years. According 
to introduce it to the notice of the public, to his own statement, he began the col- 
The Constitution of the Congregational lection ** upon his entering Harvard 
Library Association declares, that its ob- College, July 6, 1703;" and his death 
ject " shall be to found and perpetuate a occurred October 22, 1758. It is evident, 
Library of Books, Pamphlets and Manu- indeed, that he had done something toward 
scripts, and a collection of Portraits, and this favorite purpose of his life before en- 
whatever else shall serve to illustrate Pu- tering College. Several volumes which 
ritan history." Strikingly coincident with escaped British vandalism, and which 
this was the object of the life of Mr. have survived the ravages of time, bear 
Prince — so far as his life may be said to testimony to this. A book now lying near 
have had an object, beyond a faithful at^ us, the gift of a dear friend, appears to 
tention to the duties of the pastoral oflice. have come into his possession before he 
In his Will, which he made less than a was ten years old. On the blank pages 
month before his death, after having oth- of the treasure, in rough school-boy hand, 
erwiso disposed of " all my Books that are and with striking pen-and-ink illustrations, 
in Latin, Greek, and in the Oriental we are required to take notice that this is 
Languages," he says, " I have been many " Thomas Prince His Book." The date 
years collecting a number of Books, also is carefully given, in the same graphic 
Pamphlets, Maps, Papers in Print, and style, and the name of the beloved donor 
Manuscript, either published in New £ng- is piously recorded underneath. His pas- 
land, or pertaining to its History and Pub- sion for collecting books evidently showed 
lie Affairs, to which collcf^tion I have given itself in childhood ; and it is nowise im- 
the name of the New England^ Library." probable that he already owned a respec- 

He might in truth intimate that much table library, as to numbers, when he be- 

of his lifetime had been devoted to these came a Freshman at Cambridge. It is 
1 



Thomas Prince. 



[Jan. 



worthy of notice that he dates the founda- 
tion of his Library from the verj day on 
which he entered College. His contem- 
plated collection of books and papers was 
the object uppermost in his thoughts, as 
he left hb boyhood's home for the Uni- 
versity. He went to that seat of Aca- 
demical training, not with such vague 
aspirations as young men generally take 
with them to College, but with a definite 
and cherished plan to execute. On the 
6th of July, 1 70S, he was admitted as a 
student at Harvard; and he celebrates 
the joyous occasion, not as students some- 
times did in that day, by convivial parties 
and mutual congratulations, but by laying 
the comer-stone of his New England 
Library. 

The eight years which he spent in 
Great Britain, and on the continent of 
Europe, were occupied, to a large extent, 
in making the acquaintance of scholars, 
and securing other facilities for carrying 
on the work he had undertaken. He no 
doubt regarded himself as a pioneer in the 
business of book-collecting, on this side the 
Atlantic ; and it seems to have been his 
ambition, to gather a Librar}' which should 
do honor to his country's scholarship, and 
which should cause his own name to be 
remembered with gratitude by all New 
Englanders. The following letter, writ- 
ten a few months after his return to his 
native land, will show what pains he took 
to improve a casual visit, and to interest 
an intelligent merchant in his favorite 
project As the letter is brief, and prob- 
ably has never been printed hitherto, wo 
will give it entire : 

Rotterdam, 25 March, 1718. 

lia. Prikob : 

Sia : — This comes to wish you much 
joy of your call to the ministry in Boston. 
I pray God give you good success, and may 
you live to ei^oy the fruits of your labor. 
You may well remember you were at my 
house when at B.otterdam. My acqiuiint- 
ance I own to be but small, but Mr. Loftus 
told me it might not be amiss to write you ; 
that it might lie in your power to xecom- 



mend some of your friends who trade this 
way, to consign what effects they send here 
to me. I will do them the utmost justite. 
You having been in some of these parts, 
some of your friends may inquire of you to 
recommend them to some fiiend you know. 
I desire your fisivor also, if that you want 
any books, or any other service to be done 
here for yourself, that you would command 
me ; and when any ships come frx>m Boston 
here, will be proud if you do me the honour 
to let me hear of your wel&re. I shall only 
add due respects, and am, 

Sir, your servant to command, 

John Stanton. 

This letter may have been meant as 
nothing more than a shrewd stroke of 
mercantile sagacity ; but even if it was, it 
shows on which side the writer thought 
best to approach Mr. Prince, in order to 
accomplish his object The allusion to 
books reveals the fact that Mr. Prince had 
made himself known chiefly as the founder 
of a library, in the Old World ; and that 
no more grateful courtesy could be ex- 
tended him than an offer to aid him in his 
cherished scheme. 

It is not possible for us, at the present 
day? to have any just conception of the 
value of the Library collected by Mr. 
Prince. No man in his time surpassed 
him, in fitness for the work he had under- 
taken. The facilities which he possessed 
for carrying out his plan, were also very 
great ; and the ever-increasing machinery, 
with reference to this darling object, was 
kept in operation by him for more than 
half a century. In view of these facts, we 
are driven to conclude that his collection 
of books and papers must have been im- 
mense, and of surpassing value, at the 
time of his decease. A feeling of sadness, 
mingled with indignation, comes over us, 
whenever we look at the few remnants of 
that magnificent Librar}', garnered partly 
in the Chapel of the Old South Church, 
and a few musty shreds of it stowed away 
in the Rooms of the Massachusetts His- 
torical Society I It is like the wreck of 
an Egyptian dty. All ita costliesi and 



18&&^ 



Thmm 



moet substantial treasures have either 
been destroyed, or barbarously mutilated 
and sujSered to fall into decay. Its chief 
ornaments, even the few which escaped 
the auto-de-fes of British royalism, are in 
such a condition as to render them nearly 
useless. Books, no doubt, which histo- 
rians and scholars would now prize beyond 
all limits, have been stolen from it, and 
carelessly or wickedly thrown away. Its 
most sacred relics, like the coluoms of 
Thebes, have been transported, and now 
stand, as objects of attraction, in the li- 
braries of other lands. As one glances 
along through the soiled remnants left 
us, his eye is arrested by such notices 
as this, written on the fly-leaf of a rare 
copy of Captain John Sniith's History 
of Virginia : ^ Claimed at an auction 
of books and recovered, in 1814, after 
having been out of the New England 
Library upwards of forty years, as sup- 
posed." Elnowing the methodical and 
accurate habits of Mr. Prince, it is proper 
for us to conclude that he left a complete 
manuscript catalogue of his books and 
other literary treasures. But no such 
catalogue has yet been found. It was 
probably destroyed, together with other 
papers and manuscripts, during the occu- 
pation of the Old South Meeting-house by 
the British soldiery. Not even a testi- 
mony to the good man*s unwearied labors 
remains. Succeeding generations have 
never known, and never can know, how 
indefatigably he toiled for their instruc- 
tion. The splendid inheritance was scat- 
tered and wasted while yet in reversion. 
The monument, which was to make the 
patient Christian scholar immortal, and 
wide as the learned world in his fame, 
perished on its way from the quarry. 

How much more fortunate, though per- 
haps far less deserving of the gratitude of 
posterity, are such as the late Thomas 
Dowse ! — who lived in an age when rare 
collections of books, however small and lim- 
ited in their range, are more duly appre- 
ciated; when scholars, and associations 
of literaij gentlemeni stand ready to take 



any such collection under their charge, 
and to preserve it sacredly in honor of the 
testator; and when the most eloquent 
pens and tongues are employed, to swell 
his praises and perpetuate his fame. 

Wo shall probably have occasion to 
speak again, of the labors of Mr. Prince 
as a collector of books, in the sketch of 
hb life which we propose to give. We 
have seen it intimated, by some writers, 
that he ought to have presented his Li- 
brary to Harvard College ; and, if he had 
done so, that his life-long labor would not 
have been thrown away. But this pre- 
diction would probably not have been ftd- 
filled, whatever may have seemed proper 
on the part of Mr. Prince. Had his col- 
lection of books and papers been at Cam- 
bridge, we must suppose that it would 
have been totally destroyed by the fire of 
Januar}' 24th, 1764. That sad calamity 
would have been far heavier than it actu- 
ally was, had the New England Library 
then met the fate of ** the best library and 
philosophical apparatus in America." ^ It 
will appear, we think, in the course of 
what follows, that Mr. Prince had some 
reason for not donating his books to Har- 
vard, even if such a course was ever sug- 
gested to him. 

The materials for the sketch to which we 
now proceed, are discouragingly meagre ; 
but we shall endeavor to use them, such 
as they are ; pursuing, as far as practicable, 
the chronological order. 

From the few notices which have been 
preserved, it appears that Thomas Prince 
was the great grandson of Rev. John 
Prince, of East Sheiford, in Berkshire, 
England. This ancestor, says the subject 
of the present sketch, *' was bom of hon- 
orable parents, educated in the University 
of Oxford, was one of the Puritan miuis- 
ters of the Church of England, who in 
part conformed, and ibund great iiiends 
to protect him in omitting the more otien- 
sive ceremonies as long as he lived." Of 
Elder John Prince, son of the clergj'man, 
little is known, except that he came to 

1 Qalncy*> Uist. Uarr. CoU., Toi. U., pp. 112, 118. 



Thomas Prince. 



[Jan. 



this counhy in 1633, lived for a time in 
Watertown, and finally became an inhab- 
itant of the town of Hull. Samuel Prince, 
Esq., son of Elder John Prince, was a 
resident of Sandwich, Massachusetts ; and 
in this place his fourth son, Thomas, was 
bom May 15th, 1687. The father was 
twice married. His first wife was Martha 
Barstow, by whom he had five children. 
His second wife was Mercy, daughter of 
Thomas Hinckley, the last governor of 
Plymouth Colony. Thomas was the first 
child by this marriage, and was named, 
probably, in honor of his maternal grand- 
father.^ Afterwards were bom nine oth- 
ers ; and therefore we must reckon the 
subject of this notice as one of a fam- 
ily of fifteen children. Several of these 
died early in life ; and one, Nathan, born 
November 30, 1698, has left a somewhat 
sad history in connection with Harvard 
College. 

In the absence of any clear records, 
which might throw light on the early life 
of Thomas Prince, we may perhaps ven- 
ture to reconstruct that life, at least some 
portion of it, by a process similar to that 
which in science is termed comparative 
anatomy. The skilful zoologist is able, 
from a single bone or tissue, to make out 
the entire frame of an animal. It is said 
that the single scale of a fish has served 
for such a work in the hands of the ichthy- 
ologist Why may not the biographer 
also, if he knows the general characteris- 
tics of the person he is describing, seize 
upon some fact in a period otherwise 
blank, and from that fill out the vacancy ? 
He may not reach the exact tmth ; but it 
should seem, certainly, that he might come 
near to it 

We have at hand a little volume enti- 
tled, " The Marrow of Modern Divinity." 
Opposite the title-page ofthis book, which 
is too much torn to inform us as to the 
date of its publication, occurs the name of 
" Thomas Prince'* Beneath this name, 
we learn that the owner of the work was, 
at the time of thus claiming it, about ten 

1 HiM.-Gen. Beg., Vol. v., p. 888. 



years old. And we also leara, in addition 
to this fact, that the volume was given to 
him "6y his mother" Turning over a 
single leaf, it appears further that he 
placed no slight value on the book ; for 
there, in the handwriting of his mature 
life, he carefully repeats the fact that the 
work was a gift from his mother, and that 
it came into his possession when he was a 
mere child. The cost of the volume, also, 
is carefully noted ; and, glancing along its 
pages, we find many of its most striking 
paragraphs marked with the same pen, 
apparently, which made the original en- 
tries. Now from this tell-tale volume, 
looked at, as it should be, in the light of 
the well-known characteristics of Mr. 
Prince in his manhood, several things 
may be inferred as probable. It warrants 
the inference that those habits of order 
and accuracy, which distinguished him in 
after life, were formed at an early age. 
In recording the price of this little book, 
the name of the giver, and the time when 
it came into his possession, the same 
thoughtfulncss was evinced which he dis- 
played as a traveller, and in the manage- 
ment of the most weighty afiairs. By the 
kindness of the Rev. Chandler Bobbins, 
D.D., of Boston, who in virtue of his fam- 
ily connections has inherited the manu- 
script Journal of Mr. Prince, we are 
enabled to verify these remarks. In this 
journal are noted the changes of weather, 
the events of every day experience, the 
smallest business transactions, the dates of 
letters, and to whom they were written, or 
from whom received — the whole manifest- 
ing, by its studied accuracy and complete- 
ness, a natural taste for such labor. 
Glancing from the carefully kept diary to 
the marks in the fugitive book, we trace 
in the latter the first forth-puttings of that 
peculiar style of mind which the former 
displays in its more mature workings. 
The child appears as father to the man. 
It was probably as true of Mr. Prince in 
boyhood, as in any period of his life, that 
he differed in his tastes from most of those 
around him. He had but few associates, 



1859.] 



Thomas Prince. 



we may suppose ; bnt little in common 
with the bojs of his own age. It is likely 
that they regarded him as quite singular 
in his habits ; as one who seemed most 
deeply interested in those things which 
had no attraction for themselves. This 
opinion would correspond with that which 
was often expressed of him during his 
manhood. His contemporaries, with the 
exception of a very few kindred spirits, 
looked on him as one who devoted his en- 
ergies chiefly to matters which had no 
interest for other minds. It was striking- 
ly true of him, that he walked in a path 
by himself. He was enthusiastic in doing 
that which the spirit of the times disre- 
garded. The field which was generally 
passed by, he entered, making it his special 
department of labor. It is possible that 
he looked forward to the gratitude of a 
coming age, and in the hope of this was 
compensated for any present loneliness. 

Whoever has read ** The Marrow of 
Modern Divinity," will be convinced that 
it was no ordinary child, who, at the age 
of ten years, could be interested in such a 
treatise. It is a profound theological 
work, in which the great doctrine of the 
Reformation, Justification by Faith, is pre- 
sented in its most Scriptural aspects. The 
passages which he has marked, and in 
which he seems to have delighted the 
most, are those which present Christ as a 
ground of hope and joy for the sinner. 
If there is a thread of religious melancholy 
running through his life, it is not owing to 
any gloomy view which he held of the 
way of salvation. The offer of full justi- 
fication, on the simple condition of faith 
in Christ, has everything in it to encour- 
age the desponding penitent. This fact, 
doubtlessly, accounts for its evident pre- 
ciousness to Mr. Prince, not only in boy- 
hood but as Ions as he lived. We know 
the religious peculiarities of his times. It 
is probable that he received a rigid Puri- 
tan training, in the family. His natural 
docility and love of retirement, must have 
given such influences great power over 
him. . Hence he would come to have very 



humbling views of his unworthiness and 
guilt before Crod, and would be driven to 
the doctrine of the mediation of Christ, for 
relief. Though he travelled more, per- 
haps, than the New England ministers of 
his day were wont to, and though he was 
largely concerned in public and secular 
afiairs, yet his inclination seems ever to 
have been for a secluded, meditative life. 
His thirst for information, his love for 
every species of curious knowledge, the 
exigences of the age, and the widely scat- 
tered family estate which he was charged 
with administering, caused him to do vio- 
lence to his early education and native 
tastes. It was well for him, no doubt, 
that such calls were allowed to draw him 
away from the pursuits which he instinct- 
ively loved ; for though he oflen bewails the 
necessity of these uncongenial afiairs, they 
probably counteracted, in some measure, 
his inclination to asceticism and the life 
of a recluse. The manuscript volumes 
already alluded to, contain several let- 
ters, written by Mr. Prince during his 
absence in Europe, in which he com- 
plains bitterly of the worldliness and 
wickedness eveiy where encountering him. 
He seems, indeed, to i:egard it as a crime 
on his own part to be thus circumstanced ; 
and he deeply abhors and abases himself, 
lest he should be guilty for barely behold- 
ing the ungodly conduct of others. These 
letters are to his *' honored and dear pa- 
rents ; " and they show plainly enough 
that he was still true to the tendencies 
and training of his childhood. 

Wc are almost certain, in the absence 
of positive testimony, that the religious 
experience of Mr. Prince began while he 
was yet a boy. Nothing less than this can 
account for his love of such books as he 
evidently reati at an early age. Possibly 
there was a little of the morbid element 
in his piety ; but we cannot be too careful 
to judge him mildly in this particular. 
Such confessions of guiltiness, such loath- 
ings of one*s self on account of sin, as he 
was wont to express, would perhaps be re- 
garded as savoring of affectation and spir- 



Thimm Prince. 



[Jan. 



itnal pride, at the present day. But in 
his case there is no straining — no attempt 
to make a great display of humility and 
heart-brokenness — ^but all appears to be 
natural and sincere. He was undoubted- 
ly inclined to the mystical ibrm of devel- 
opment, in his piety ; and this may be in- 
ferred not only from the character of his 
early reading, but also from the impres- 
aon he made generally on his contem- 
poraries. This does not imply that he 
was at all vague, in the articles of his be- 
lief, but that he inclined to the meditative 
rather than the active duties of the Chris- 
tian life. Piety has rarely shone with a 
more beautiful or sweeter light, than in 
the character of Thomas Prince. He had 
not so much the impetuosity of Peter, as 
the gentleness of John ; he loved the closet 
more than the field. But the day is over, 
when men are to be condemned for not 
showing their piety in one form rather 
than another. If they have the substance 
of faith in Christ, t)^at faith has its love- 
liest growth always in the direction of 
their natural tastes. Mr. Prince had 
more of the Oriental than of the Occi- 
dental element in his genius. This is 
shown by his stqdies, and by the pains 
which he took to furnish his Library with 
works illustrating the history and litera- 
ture of the East It is pleasant to us to 
trace these characteristics back almost to 
the beginning of his hbtory ; to find that 
he was promptly attentive to the grand 
concern of life, and that his piety, even in 
its germination, took the form which suited 
his type of mind. It was legitimate and 
unconstrained. It was not twisted into an 
abnormal shape, but grew up in the 
natural way, partaking of all the peculiar- 
ities of his nature, till it budded and blos- 
somed and bore fruit, aflcr its kind. Even 
in his childish pursuits at Sandwich, amid 
such influences as we might expect in an 
independent and refined Christian home, 
his piety took root and began to grow — a 
piety of which his subsequent devotedness, 
as described by his associates and friends, 
was bat *' the bright consummate flower." 



Filial affection must have been a marked 
trait in the early character of Mr. Prince. 
His peculiar temperament — which was 
ever quiet, shrinking and childlike — the 
commonness and excellency of this virtue 
in the times in which he lived, combine 
with many other things in leading us to 
this conclusion. It certainly is a noticea- 
ble fact, that his mother's name appears 
in a favorite volume of his childhood; that 
it is written with his own unpracticed 
hand, which also states that it was her 
gifl ; and more especially noticeable is it, 
as indicating the strength of his filial at- 
tachment, that the same fact is again re- 
corded carefully, afler the lapse of many 
years. In a discourse preached to chil- 
dren, soon afler his settlement as Pastor 
of the Old South Church, Mr. Prince has 
given us some glimpses of this lovely trait 
in his character. Speaking of the obliga- 
tions to early piety, he says to his youth- 
ful hearers, *' God has also been very 
gracious to you in the circiunstance, time 
and place of your birth. He has brought 
forth many of you of rich and honorable 
parents: and what is a thousand times 
greater privilege, God has made many of 
you to come of those that are virtuous 
and godly. The most of you are born in 
His gracious covenant : a distinguishing 

favor To be sure, your early 

devotion to God will be exceedingly de- 
lightful to your religious and solicitous 
parents. It will be their great honor and 
joy ; as your neglect of piety will be their 
most sensible disgrace and sorrow." In 
such direct and fervid appeals as this, we 
see proof that he was no wayward child ; 
that he prized the blessing of a Christian 
home ; that love for the father and mother 
who watched over his boyhood, was a life- 
long principle with him ; that he gladly 
paid the homage which is due from chil- 
dren to their greatest earthly benefactors. 
His reverence for the aged, for the great 
mcA of past times, and for his ancestors, 
which was so conspicuous a trait in his 
life, had its beginning far back in child- 
hood| when be bo piously recorded his 



1859.] 



Thomas Prmee. 



obligAtions to bis mother. The letters 
which he wrote during his journey to 
Europe, and which are preserved in his 
diary, breathe the same filial spirit They 
are addressed to his *' honored and dear 
parents ; " and though occupied with pious 
reflections, for the most part, they reveal 
the heart of an affectionate and grateful 
son. 

Mr. Prince entered Harvard College 
soon afler the completion of his sixteenth 
year — a comparatively advanced age in 
those times. We infer, from this circum- 
stance, that his mind was already fur- 
nished with much useful information, and 
his tastes and habits of thinking somewhat 
matured. It is not probable that he was 
moulded, as much as students are wont to 
be, by his residence at College; though 
this disadvantage, if it may be esteemed 
such, was attended with the advantage of 
a previous mastery of himself, which en- 
abled him to pursue his studies in an in- 
dependent and 8U(!ce5!sful manner. The 
traditions respecting his ancestors, some 
of whom were distinguished Divines in tfie 
English Church, and the fact that he was 
Ae grandson of a governor of Plymouth 
Celonv, no doubt had their influence in 
stimulating him to strive for high attain- 
ments in scholarship. We may suppose 
that but few excelled him in the regular 
studies of the course ; and it is also evi- 
dent, from what he says about beginning 

• 

bis Library at this time, that his investi- 
gations extended far beyond the ordinary 
routine of College life. Ho seems to have 
been seized, about this time, with an un- 
conquerable thirst for universal know- 
ledge ; which, in such a mind as his, was 
the natural result of attempting to make a 
large collection of books. Few works 
which he put into his Librarj' were un- 
read : many of them were carefully stud- 
ied, and filled with annotations from his 
pen. He began to read Divinity imme- 
diately af^er his graduation, which he 
continued for a little more than a year 
and a half, when he sailed for England. 
It appean to have been mainly as a Chris- 



tian student, seeking to enlarge and per- 
fect his scholarly acquirements, that he 
made this visit to the Old World. Dr. 
Wisner, in his History of the Old South 
Church, says that Mr. Prince " travelled, 
visiting different countries, * not as an 
idle spectator, but as a diligent observer 
of men and things, which appeared from 
the knowledge and experience he had 
gained in his travels.' " It is not impossi- 
ble that he had some thought of fitting 
himself for the position of an instructor in 
his Alma Mater. Such a hope would 
imply no unworthy ambition, and would 
well accord with his tastes and training. 
Yet he nowhere drops any intimation of 
this, so far as we have seen *, and if he was 
disappointed in any such scholarly aspira- 
tions, he bore the ill success meekly and 
uncomplainingly. He did not fVet, and 
openly declare his sense of unjust treat- 
ment — like the impetuous Cotton Mather 
— when he saw men of far less learning 
than himself, elected to vacant chairs in 
the University. 

The embarkation of Mr. Prince for 
Europe took place on the 29th of March 
1709, *' from the Scarlet AVharf in Boston, 
on board the Thomas and Elizabeth, of 
450 tuns, 24 guns and 40 men." This 
vessel was one of a ** fleet for Barbadoes, 
consisting of 8 Ships, 2 Brigantines and 
2 Sloops" ^ — a large enough armament, 
one would suppose, to satisfy the young 
traveller both as to dignity and safet}'. 
From the following entry, made in his 
Journal April 7, we may learn in what 
estimation Mr. Prince was held on board 
ship, and also what were his views of the 
proper discipline of sailors : ** The Cap- 
tain ordered me to draw up some laws 
for the good government of our ship, 
which are publicly to be read to-morrow." 
The result of this command was the fol- 
lowing code of " laws and orders, to pre- 
vent and punish profaneness and immoral- 
ity, and for the better management of the 
ship : I. Whosoever shall curse or swear, 
speak falsely, absent from dinner, wor- 
1 Bobbini Mairaioripl, Tol. U. 



8 



ThofnoB Prince. 



[Jan. 



ship, or sleep at it [worship,] shall receive 
three ferrules. II. He that steals, shall 
for the first ofience sustain the penalty of 
^yQ ferrules on each hand ; but for the 
second he shall have ten lashes. III. For 
fighting the punishment is five ferrules ; 
and he that shall be found most guilty 
shall hJEtve seven. IV. For drunkenness 
the first time six ferrules ; the next, he 
shall wear the collar at the commander's 
pleasure. V. He that shall sleep on 
deck, in his watch, shall sustain the pen- 
alty of three ferrules ; but if in his ham- 
mock, of four. VI. For cheating the 
glass, affinning the pump sucks when it 
does not, or leaving it before it does, three 
ferrules. VII. If any shall be found to 
have neglected information, for four hours, 
of the breach of the forementioned laws, 
he shall have two ferrules." * The word 
« ferrule" is not defined in our modem 
dictionaries, in any such sense as Mr. 
Prince evidently uses it here. It was 
probably an instrument of punishment 
with which his experience as a school-boy 
had made him familiar. Neither does he 
inform us as to its size and shape, nor as 
to the amount of force with which it was 
•to be applied, — matters of some impor- 
tance, we should suppose, to the unlucky 
offenders. 

After a voyage of twenty days, Mr. 
Prince landed at the island of Barba- 
does, — which fact he records with an ex- 
pression of gratitude to God. Here he 
remained nearly five months, making a 
multitude of curious observations, quite 
as noteworthy as many which figure in 
more modern books of travel, though 
hardly arresting the eye as it glances 
along his Journal, owing to the brief and 
unpretending style in which they are re- 
corded. We are interested to give a sin- 
gle paragraph, in this connection, which 
has reference to the subject of slavery ; 
and fvhich shows that Mr. Prince was not 
one of those travellers who are content 
with seeing only the sunny side of the 
peculiar institution. June 12, he says: 

1 Bobbins MS., yol.U. 



'* 'Tb computed that in this Island, to no 
more than 8,000 whites, there are no less 
than four score thousand negroes ; all ab- 
solute slaves, till kind death wrests them 
out of the hands of their tyrannic mas- 
ters. But alas I the miserables are en- 
tirely restrained from reflecting on them- 
selves, and on a future state. They know 
no interest but theirs that own them ; who 
engross all their strength and labor, — and 
their time also, except what the Supreme 
Grovemor has mercifully reserved to him- 
self. Then [i. e. on the Sabbath] they 
are at liberty to enjoy their own thoughts, 
and to regale themselves in the mean 
pleasures of a brutal appetite, and which 
scarce reach any farther than a drowsy 
joy for the transitory interruption of their 
slavery. Then it is, they endeavor to 
drown or forget their burdensome cares 
by the most frantic amusements they can 
imagine." * There is more in the same 
strain. But this is enough to show what 
English Slavery was a little more than a 
hundred years ago ; and could Mr. Prince 
return to the earth, and travel over some 
Southern plantations, it is probable that 
his impressions of American Slavery 
would be equally gloomy and revolting. 
On the 4th of September, Mr. Prince 
lefl Barbadoes, and continued his voyage, 
still on board the ** Thomas and Eliza- 
beth," to London. The records in his 
Journal show that this voyage afibrded 
him great satisfaction ; that his days were 
spent in an unusually pleasant and happy 
manner. Every paragraph reveals the 
student, and the lover of new and curi- 
ous information. He reached his destina- 
tion after a voyage of a little more than 
two months. His arrival shall be describ- 
ed in his own langua;re. " I took wherry 
[from Deptford] to London. Passed by 
multitudes of shipping ; and in an hour 
landed at St. James* Stairs, in Wapping ; 
where 1 lodged. But could not persuade 
the civil people who entertained me, that 
I was bom and educated in New England ; 
they apprehended it necessary that at 

2 aobbiiislf8.yoLtt. 



1859.] 



Thomtu Prmee. 



9 



least I had been before in London, and 
they wonderecf as much at mj carriage 
and deportment, as at the fuhiess and ac- 
cnracy of my language. And thus, per 
varioi easusj per tot discrimina rerunif Fve 
escaped the various chances and perils of 
the sea, am arrived at the happy port, 
and have the joyful satisfaction to see my- 
self in the greatest and most flourishing 
city of the universe^ Deo ter opt: 
max: GRATiiE.*'^ Here we see the 
sensitive student, anxious lest some de- 
fect in his speech or manner might be- 
tray his provincial education, and exult- 
ing in the fact that he had so far tri- 
umphed over the difficulties of the scholar 
in a new country, as to pass for a gentle- 
man bom and educated in England. His 
first nght of London was the fulfilment, 
no doubt, of the proudest dream of his 
childhood. We are drawn to the suscep- 
tible nature which could show such enthu- 
siasm, and abandonment of itself to joy, 
in such a moment ; aud as we read the 
fervid exclamations, which escape his free 
pen, we are sure that he had a large, ten- 
der and patriotic heart 

Mr. Prince remained in London and its 
vicinity four months, — from the 18th of 
November, to the 1 7th of March. This 
time was spent, as we might expect it to 
be by a young and enthusiastic traveller, 
in a city which had been the boast of his 
ancestors. His knowledge of distinguish- 
ed scholars and divines, of famous struc- 
tures, localities and relics of the past grew 
rapidly, as his Journal shows. During 
one of these four months he was ill ^* of 
nnall pox ;" from which, however, it does 
not appear that he suffered any permar 
nent injury, but on the contrary received 
much benefit : for he writes, on recover- 
ing, *'I find my spirits more vigorous 
.... than ever ; . . . . my senses clear- 
er, my blood warmer ; and in fine, the 
whole compages of nervous fibres with 
their fluids, exercise a greater force and 
a more equal motion." Afler this new 
item of science, which he had* compelled 
1 aobbiniMS.yol.tt. 
2 



even sickness to yield him, he sailed fitn 
London for the Madeira Islands, 17th of 
March, 1710. The ship stopped but two 
days at these islands, when the voyage was 
continued to Barbadoes; and after re- 
maining here somewhat more than two 
months, Mr. Prince returned to Great 
Britain in the Same vessel which had orig- 
inally brought him from New-England. 
Certain expressions in his letters, written 
during this second visit to Barbadoeti 
indicate that his circumstances were by 
no means agreeable. His uniform and 
outspoken piety seems to have got him 
many enemies, on that island of slaves 
and slave-drivers. He sends word to his 
father aud mother, to remember him ** at 
the throne of Grace ; that I may with an 
equal and courageous spirit, bear up un- 
der, and triumph over, the disheartening 
evils which attend me ; and thereby may 
be happily accomplished for some pecul- 
iar service to Grod and the world." * In a 
letter to a friend in Boston, written just 
before his departure for England, he 
speaks more particularly of the character 
of the people in Barbadoes : ^ Such is 
the despotic and absolute reign of de- 
bauchery, — so imperious its dictates, so 
strong its supports, so incontrollable its 
power, so numerous its assertors and de- 
fenders, — that a man has need of the 
powerful assistance of Heaven, super- 
added unto his own most earnest endeav- 
ors, to enable him to resist the raging and 
impetuous torrent, much more to get head 
and advance against it. What a perplex- 
ing thing may you imagine it to be, that 
I am obliged to hear so much horrible 
profaneness, and to see so many brutish 
inmioralities, and yet not in a capacity 

so much as to rebuke them But 

how dangerous, at the same time, are my 
own circumstances ! .... I would fain 
convince them that the practice of relig- 
ion is so far from being inconsistent wiUi 
the enjo3rment of the true pleasures of 
life, that it rather refines them, and makes 
them more relishing. But while I am en- 

a ]lobbli»M8.,yoLiU. 



10 



Thomas Prince. 



[Jan. 



daaToring to confirm it by my own exam- 
ple, I am in danger of extending my com- 
pUances bejrond the inviolable bounds of 
Cbristianity. By this means, when I 
reach forth my arms to receive them, 
tfiey draw me within the circle and pow- 
er of their vortex, and whirl me into the 
Hune inextricable misery."^ Fearing 
indi a remit as this, it is probable that 
the persecuted yoong preacher made bat 
few advances to his wicked associates; 
and his remark is well worthy the thought- 
fill notice of those who attempt to help on 
Christianity by coquetting with social 
evib, or who think to overcome an estab- 
liriied and gigantic wrong by making con- 
cessions to it 

On the 8th of October, we fiud Mr. 
Prince in London again, making entries 
in his Journal respecting the political 
troubles of the country, and strongly con- 
demning the measures of the Tories. 
His sympathies were evidently with the 
more liberal party ; and, in all the ques- 
tions affecting the welfare of America, he 
■eems to have manifested a hearty love 
fi)r the land of his nativity. A prediction 
respecting the ultimate independence of 
this country, which was made by him du- 
ing his stay in England, is worthy of men- 
tion here. It may be found in a post- 
script to an unpublished letter, in the Old 
South collection at the rooms of the Mass- 
achusetts Historical Society. The letter 
was written in 1 780, by Rev. John Mead- 
ows of England, and addressed to Mr. 
Prince at Boston. The postscript is in 
Latin; we know not for what reason, 
unless the writer feared that his remind- 
ing Mr. Prince of a remark unfavorable 
to the mother country might get abroad, 
and be construed as treasonable, should 
he venture it in the common language. 
Alluding to the strifes in Parliament re- 
specting the Colonial policy, and also to 
the troubles between the Assemblies and 
Governors in New-England, this corres- 
pondent says : ** From the banning of 
the fivementioned strife, I have not once 

i BoM»iMiiB.,T<LML 



reflected on what you, dear brother, 
while you were living in England, in finee 
conversation (if I rightly remember) de- 
clared to me ; namely, that in about an 
hundred §ears the New-England people 
toould be potoerful enough to wUkdraw 
from the realm of Old England, and ad- 
vance to the dignity of a free and inde- 
pendent nation" This prophecy cannot 
be regarded as merely a lucky guess on 
the part of Mr. Prince. It was the result 
of careful observations, both at home and 
in Great Britain ; and it shows that he 
was wont to generalize his stores of infor- 
mation, — that he not only possessed a 
vast magazine of facts in his memory, but 
also had a statesmanlike and &r-seeing in- 
tellect If he had lived a few yean 
longer, he would have seen his prediction 
fulfilled in a little more than half the 
time be had allowed for it 

It is uncertain how long Mr. Prince re- 
mained in London, upon this second visit 
His Journal continues for nearly a month, 
with accounts of sight-seeing, lectures at 
Gresham College, and other characteristic 
notices, till suddenly we lose sight of him 
for a period of more than six years. This 
time was probably spent for the most 
part in the parish of Coombs, Suffolk 
county ; where he ministered with much 
acceptance to a congregation of Dis- 
senters, and where he was urged to settle 
permanently. But his strong attachment 
to New England overbore all reasons for re- 
maining in the Mother Country. The ob- 
ject of his travels had been accomplished; 
and, with his mind thoroughly disciplined 
and furnished, he set his face resolutely 
towards the home of bis childhood. Nor 
were the people of Coombs, some of them 
at least, less firmly resolved still to be his 
parishioners. Not being able to retain 
him in their native country, they accom- 
panied him. There were three families 
of these, consisting in all of twenty-seven 
persons; and one of the number was 
Deborah Denny, who afterwards became 
the wife of Mr. Prince. 

One event, which took place during 



IBB9.] 



Thmm ProMs; 



n 



tiu* hociew«rc[ Toy«ge« ia worthy of sp^ 
cial Dodce : it leta as into what was prob- 
ablj one great secret of the success of 
Mr. Prince as a pastor. On the 9th oi 
Jane, 1717, neariy a month after leaving 
England, he writes as follows : ** Little 
Betty was very ill and restless all last 
night, in the mom grew still worse and 
fainter, till aboat half an hour after 
eleven she died. She was the second 
daughter of Mr. James and Mary South- 
gate, late of Coombs, and now bound to 
New-England. She was bom Monday, 
Aogoat 1,1709; was a very serious, 
thoughtful, sensible child, religiously dia- 
posed, was unusually inquisitive of divine 
things, and would ask a great many sur- 
prising questions. She was humble, silent, 
modest, and remarkably quiet, patient, 
spiritual and resigned in the time of her 
illnesa As she drew near her end she 
abounded in sweet, charming, sensible, 
and religious talk, which flowed from her 
with a wonderful facility, quickness of 
thought, and a sedate and savory spirit" ^ 
A few pages onward he speaks of her 
burial at sea, and gives the text of the 
funeral sermon he preached for her. 
Here we see the ardent impulses of the 
student gradually gathering themselves 
into a single channel. His six years of 
labor at Coombs have taught him to love 
the calling of a Christian pastor. There 
is a surprising change in the character of 
hisJoumaL The thirst for universal 
knowledge is toned down by a feeling of 
bve for souls. His heart has wound itself 
around the people to whom he has been 
ministering. Even the little children are 
dear to him. His native simplicity, his 
frankness and guilelessness, which often ex- 
posed him to the scoffs of rude men, have 
at length found beautiful expression. He 
is just the man to soothe the troubles of 
others by letting them see his own. He 
prizes, and gives himself up to a tender 
and responsive heart No excellence, no 
trial, no grief of his humblest parishion- 
ers escapes him. He is the watcher at 

i BobUBSll8.,yoLiiL 



thesiek-bed; he notes tiie progiMi of tte 
disease ; he embalms the virtuet Ibr whiok 
the little one was remarki^)le. We h^ 
hold here the beginning of Mr. Frineant 
career as a minister ; of that prompt syni* 
pathy with the sorrowing, in which ha 
never failed; of those gentle nnnistn^ 
tions, for which his nature so admiralty 
fitted him ; of those many funeral seiw 
mons, in which he so poured out his love 
for the departed ; of that strong afieotkm, 
which bound him as with a ten-fi>ld cord 
to his flock ; of that substantial suecea, 
which followed him throughout his long 
pastorate in Boston. It is not ofben that 
a minister has been so thoroughly fiimish- 
ed for his work. He was returning flram 
the Old World full of the bleasing of the 
Gospel of Christ It is no wonder that 
several churches in his native land, antie> 
ipating his arrival, were ** seeking to him 
as a precious gift of our ascended Sav- 
iour." » 
July 21, 1717, Mr. Prince writes: 
**I landed at Castle-Ialand [in Boston 
harbor] at 9 in the morning ; 1^. Stanton 
the Chaplain received me at the shore, and 
the Captain at the foot of the stairs, with 
a great deal of respect; though they had 
only heard of me, and had never seen me. 
. . . About 12 there came two yo\mg gentle- 
men in a boat from Boston, to enquire after 
me, and to let me know that my dear parents 
were alive, [and] had been a long time wait- 
ing for me at Boston. . . . After a very civil 
entertainment, about 1^, the Captain sent 
his pinnace to carry me up. I landed at 
the long whaif^ about 4 of an hour after 
the meetings began : and by that means I 
escaped the crowds of people that came 
down at noon-time to see me. For they 
tell me, there were about 500 came down 
on the wharf^ inquiring after me. But 
now the streets being clear, I silently went 
up to the old South-meeting; and none 
there knew me but Mr. Sewall then in the 
pulpit, Mr. Severs praying and preaching 
at that time with them. Nee me Deut 
aequore merait. Deo teb optixo maximo 

SOLI INNUME&iB AC FEaPBTViB LAUDE8." * 

1 Wlioer'a Uitt. Old SouOi Ohoroh, p. 82. 
a Bokl)lMlfS.,TOLiiL 



12 



Thomas Prince. 



[Jan. 



The vtao» modesty whicb caused the 
eagerij expected preacher to avoid the 
crowds at the wharf, was evinced at the 
close of the religions service ; when he 
made haste into the porch, on purpose to 
avoid Mr. Sewall's taking notice of [him] 
in public.^ How little did the meek- 
hearted Christian scholar think, in that 
interesting hour, that he had reached the 
scene of his life-long labors, and the sa- 
cred spot of ground with which his name 
and virtues would ever after be asso- 
ciated 1 Was it the hope of hearing his 
college classmate, Mr. Sewall, preach; 
was it the fact that the wishes of the Old 
South people respecting him had come to 
his knowledge ; or was it the good hand 
of God, foretokening his purpose to bless 
a beloved Church, which guided the foot- 
steps of that still and thoughtful worship- 
per? 

On the 25th of August, 1717, more 
than a month after his arrival in this 
country, Mr. Prince preached, for the 
first time, in Old South Meeting-house. 
*' September 29th, he was requested to 
supply the pulpit half the time for two 
months, and complied. December 20th, 
the Church gave him a call ; which he 
accepted February 9th, and was ordained 
October 1, 1718."* In this connection, 
with his friend Sewall for an associate, he 
labored forty years — till he went from his 
work to his reward. Dr. Wisner, speak- 
ing of the co-pastorate of these two men, 
■ays, it furnished ^ an example of mutual 
affection and union of purpose and pur- 
suit, for which the annals of collegiate 
chains will be searched for a parallel, I 
fear, almost in vain."' One cause of this 
unfaltering brotherly love, was, no doubt, 
the custom of the pastors to meet often 
for seasons of prayer. This is the source 
to which Dr. Wisner traces their life-long 
harmony and affection. But were there 
not other causes, some of them lying back 
of this V Though Dr. « Sewall had been 

1 Robbios MS., Vol. Hi. 

a Dr. Wlf oer't Hint. Old Soath Oboreh. 8 Ibid. 

* Mr. 8«waU wm nuult Doctor of DlriiU^, bj tbt 



pastor of the v Old South Church more 
than five years, when Mr. Prince was set- 
tled, yet in age Mr. Prince was his senior 
by a year and three months. Yet so 
unassuming, and so unambitious, was the 
great New-England Annalist, that in his 
sermons we find him alluding to his col- 
league as **your Rev. senior pastor."* 
The difference in age was so small, how- 
ever, that the two pastors could not well 
help agreeing, in their plans for the over- 
mght of the Church. The prosperity of 
the parish was an object to be sought 
equally by both, since it could not reflect 
at all on the past course of either. They 
had, moreover, been ** intimate" friends ; 
and the fact that they were classmates in 
college must have had its favorable influ- 
ence. Besides, they were treated by 
their people in a strictly impartial man- 
ner, which left no occasion for a sense of 
injustice on either side. They did not, 
like some parishes, cut down the salary of 
the '* senior" pastor; nor did they com- 
pel the new associate, — by whom a full 
share of the joint labor was no doubt pei^ 
formed, — to take a smaller sum than his 
colleague. On the 2d of October, 1719, 
the day after the first anniversary of Mr. 
Prince's ordination, and a few weeks be- 
fore his marriage, — the Old South Church 
passed the following votes : " Voted — 
That three pounds, five shillings per 
week be allowed, and by the deacons paid, 
to Mr. Joseph Sewall, our Reverend Pas- 
tor. Voted — That three pounds five shil- 
lings per week, be allowed and paid to 
Mr. Thomas Prince, our Reverend Pastor, 
from the time of his marriage ; and that 
he be desired, by the committee afore- 
mentioned, to remove into one of the 
ministerial houses of the Church, as soon 
as may be." * Such records as this are 
highly honorable to the men who ordered 
them ; and it is not to be wondered at, that 

UnlTorslty of Qlwgow, In 1781— ao booor wbich Mr. 
Prince iMTer Tcceired, tboagh tbe older, and much 
tbe more learned man of tbe two. 

6 Sermon on (be deatb of bis daughter Deborab 
Prinoe, et. al. 

6 Old Sooth Boeorda, Bigttow'eCopj, Yol. I. p. 80. 



1859.] 



Thomas Pmee. 



13 



rach pastors as Sewall and Prince, — with 
such a people, — toiled together happily 
and harmonioaslj. And the history x>f that 
joint pastorate, is a sufficient refutation of 
the charge, so oflen preferred in more 
modem days, that such a relation is in- 
consistent witJ] a contented mind and 
great public usefulness. 

The house which was so promptly pro- 
vided for Mr. Prince, and into which he 
soon moved, stood on the east side of what 
is now Washington Street, nearly oppo- 
site the present publishing-house of Messrs. 
Hcknor & Co. It had formerly been 
the residence of Governor Winthrop, who 
once owned the *' platt" of ground now 
in possesion of the Old South Society ; 
and Mr. Prince, in the advertisement to 
the Second Part of his Annals, says that 
Winthrop '* deceased in the very house I 
dwell in." The structure was of wood, 
and was taken down by the British to 
serve them for fuel during their occupan- 
cy of the Old South Meeting-house. The 
lady who presided as wife and mother in 
this sumptuous home, was ** Mrs." Debo- 
rah Denny, who had accompanied the 
young minister on his return firom Eng- 
land. The title prefixed to her name 
does not indicate that she had previously 
been married; Mr. Prince was wont to 
mention unmarried ladies in this way, 
after the English fashion of that time. 
His daughter, who was never married, 
and who died near the age of twenty-one, 
is called ** Mrs. Deborah Prince" in his 
funeral sermon for her. Mr. Prince was 
the father of five children. The eldest 
of these was Thomas. He seems to have 
inherited his father^s love of learning, and 
was graduated at Harvard College. He 
was the editor of the Christian Hidtory, 
published during the Great Awakening, 
and in which Mr. Whitfield is so warmly 
defended. But his early promise of use- 
fiilne^ was not fulfilled ; for he became 
the victim of wasting sickness while still 
a young man, and died in the 27th year 
of his age. The Boston Gazette says, in 
noticing his ^ lamented" death, that ** he 



was a young gentleman of great penetra- 
tion, solid judgment, and of sober pioos 
conversation." Mr. Prince never had 
another son. Of his four daughters, the 
two eldest died in early womanhood, and 
the youngest in infancy. His only child 
that ever married, was Sarah, the young- 
est but one. She became the wife of Liea- 
tenant-Govemor Gill, — not, however, till 
after her father's death; and she died 
childless, the 5th of August, 1771.^ 
Hence the family became extinct thirteen 
years after the decease of its founder ; 
and the name has been perpetuated only 
through some of the collateral branches. 
We may say,, in this connection, that Mr. 
Prince, near the close of his life, was the 
owner of several large tracts of land, 
It is probable that they came into his pos- 
session mainly by inheritance. He left 
land "in Shepscut, in the county of 
York," beyond Hartford in Connecticut 
Colony," ** in the county of Hampshire," 
" in Boston," " in Plymouth Colony," " in 
Wareham," " in Leicester, in the county 
of Worcester," ** in the East and West 
Wing of RuUand." The " East Wing of 
Rutland" is now a town by itself, bearing 
the name of Prince-ton. Lieutenant 
Governor Gill, who inherited the estate, 
and had his ** mansion" here, probably 
caused it to be thus named, in honor of 
his distinguished father-in-law. * 

The public ordination of Mr. Prince, 
as we have already stated, took place Oc- 
tober 1, 1718. The services of the day 
were described as follows, by Judge Sew- 
all : ** Mr. Wardsworth began with prayer, 
very well, about \ past ten. Mr. Prince 
preached from Heb. 13: 17. Mr. Sewall 
prayed. Dr. Increase Mather asked if 
any had to object; asked the Church 
vote, who were in the gallery, fronting the 
pulpit; and asked Mr. Prince's accept- 
ance of the call. Dr. Increase Mather, 
Dr. Cotton Mather, Mr. Wardsworth, Col- 
man, Sewall, lay their hands on his head. 
Dr. Increase Mather prays, gives the 

1 Drake*! Munoin, N. B. Hist.-OeD. Beg., pp. 888, 
884. a DiakAlHlMMry of BosUm, p. 688, (a.) 



u 



Thiomas JPrmee. 



[Jav. 



chaeeg^ ipnys again. Dr. Cotton Mather 
gives the right hand of fellowship. Dr. 
Increase Mather, when he declared whom 
the Elders and messengers had appointed 
to do it, said it was a good practice. 
8nng Psal. 68, 17-20;^ and Mr. Prince 
gave the blessing."* Of the sermon, 
preached by the Pastor elect, Dr. Chauncy 
says, " no ordinary man could write " it 
It displays a critical acquaintance with 
the original text of the Scriptures, and a 
wide range of study in history, theology, 
and classic literature. The first part of it b 
very much divided, and subdivided ; and 
the several topics are discussed in the 
most comprehensive manner — the whole 
showing that the young Pastor need not 
fear to measure swords with the most 
learned of his associates. Toward the 
close of the discourse, however, he drops 
the more scholastic style, and addresses 
his hearers in that direct and simple 
speech, which was most natural to him. 
Turning to his future charge, and asso- 
ciating his colleague with himself in 
thought, he says, " I must draw to a close, 
with humbly desiring these things of you : 
that you would indulge and nourish in 
you a dear affection for us; that you 
would account us the compassionate and 
faithful friefhtU of your precious souls, 
and endeavor to cultivate a pecxdiar ac- 
quaintance with us ; that you would freely 
repair to us under all your afflictions and 
^iritual troubles ; that you would let us 
know how you benefit and edify by our 
ministry ; that you would always give us 
a free and open access (o your hearts and 
consciences ; that you would never forget 
to pour out your earnest prayers every 
day for us." We have been obliged to 
abridge this extract, and to forbear quoting 
much more in the same strain — all going 
to show that the speaker thought more of 
men's souls than of auy reputation for 
learning, and that the near view of his 
responsibility as a Christian Pastor made 
him eager only to do good. He was never 

1 Baj 8tel» Goltooaon. 

S WteM^BiM. 0» 8. Obisob, y. llOlt (a*) 



pedantic, even in his published works; 
though these often exhibit vast enidition ; 
and his spoken discourses seem always to 
have been in that plain, Saxon style, 
which made it easy for a child to catch 
the thought Many illustrations of this 
might be given, had we the space for 
theuL He ever spoke of himself in terms 
of disparagement It would be difiicult 
to fiod, in all his writings, an expression 
which savors of vanity or ambition. In 
this particular he difiered vasUy from his 
learned friends, the Mathers. He even 
doubted his fitness for the pastoral office, 
and says, I " should scarcely have engaged 
in it, were it not for the persuasion of oth- 
ers, and the repeated call of Providence 

by so many churches. ' There is 

another consideration," he alsosays, "which 
afiects me with the utmost concern and 
abasement; and that is my succeeding such 
great and illustrious persons as have so con- 
spicuously distinguished and adorned yoor 
Society, and made it the more renowned 
and venerable throughout all the coun- 
try." * We should doubt the sincerity of 
such expressions — knowing, as we do, that 
Mr. Prince never had an equal for learn- 
ing in the pastorate of the Old South 
Church — were they not in entire harmony 
with the life and style of the man. This 
extreme self-distrust caused Mr. Prince to 
be a very dependent person socially. He 
threw himself on the afiection of his peo- 
ple. He did not conceal the longing of 
his heart, for their sympathy and tender 
forbearance. His private trials were 
often unbosomed in the public discourse. 
He felt that all troubles ought to enter 
into the coomion stock, among those who 
are one in Christ His sermons reveal 
this yearning for the love of his people, in 
many places ; and he was wont to speak 
of their joys and sorrows, as freely as of 
his own. His preaching abounded in 
facts, therefore, and was a kind of journal 
of the experience of the parish, with pious 
reflections. His personal appearance 

8 He bad raoeivwl ealLi fttMa at laait thrva churcli- 
m in Baglaod. 
« •< Ontinstka 8«B0B,>* IMieatlon, pp. 2, 8, 4. 



1859.) 



Thomat Pmet. 



16 



miut hmye added a peculiar chann to thu 
affectionate, confiding style of addreis. 
If the painters and engravers have done 
him justice, he most have heen a ve^ 
handsome man. His large, (nil eye has 
a womanly softness, the month is exquis- 
itely sweet and pla3rinl, all the features 
are regular, though manly, and the ele- 
vated open brow reveals his frankness 
and truthfulness of soul.* His ordinary 
preaching, though it abounded in horta- 
tory and emotional passages, was never- 
theless well filled with the milk and meat 
of the Gospel ; and on public occasions, 
as some of his printed discourses show, he 
could exhibit the depth and range of a 
well-fhrnished thinker. Some of his 
Thanksgiving sermons show that he was 
an eager student of the facts of nature, as 
they were dien understood. His power 
in the pulpit was not due to any arts of 
the orator ; for he read his discourses from 
a small manuscript volume, which, owing 
to some defect of vision, he held close to 
his face ; and he very rarely made a ges- 
ture, or raised his voice, or allowed his 
eye to wander from the written page. 
Yet that low tone, tremulous in the still 
House of God, revealed the unafi*ected 
love and earnestness of the holy man, and 
went to the hearts of his hearers, often- 
times, with overwhelming power. 

The childlike and emotional nature of 
Mr. Prince, fitted him to be especially 
happy in the public service of prayer. 
Many traditions have been preserved of 
his remarkable gift in this particular. 
He prayed like an inspired man — nay, 
like an inspired child. But we cannot 
enlarge. One instance of immediate 
answer to his petitions is celebrated 
throughout the Christian world.' 

If there were any doubt as to the strict 
Orthodoxy of Mr. Prince, it would be re- 
moved by his letters to Isaac Watts on the 
Deity of Christ The eminent bymnolo- 
gist of London has never been suspected 
of any wide departure from the evangeli- 

1 8m tk« •DgniMd Portnit pnflz«d. 

S 8m •« CoIvbWm OmUmI " ftw Dm. », USl. 



cal standards ; yet he does not seem to 
have come fully up to the doctrinal viewf 
of his co-laborer in Boston. '* You say," 
writes Mr. Prince, ^ you cannot yet as- 
sent to this position, that a denial f3^ the 
Deity of Christ is as culpable as that of 
the Father : .... for guilt arises chiefly 
from the proportion of light ; God the Fath- 
er is known in a hundred instances by n»* 
ture and Scripture, which yet say nothing 
of the godhead of the Son. To which I 
might answer — I know not an instance in 
nature, wherein any one f3^ the three 
particular persons, or whatever you call 
them, whether Father, Son or Holy Spirit, 
is discovered to us ; and as for the Scrip- 
tures, I know not that in one instance, 
they discover any one of these subsist- 
ences, without at least one of the others."' 
From this point he proceeds to argue very 
learnedly, and as we think conclusively, 
that the Deity of the Father is no more 
clearly revealed than that of the Son, in 
the Inspired Volume. We are sorry that 
we cannot quote more of this ingenious 
and thorough argument But a statement 
of its subject-matter is enough to fix the 
theological position of Mr. Prince ; since 
it is well understood what general system 
of belief one must logically adopt, if he 
believes in the proper Divinity of the Re- 
deemer. 

No one was more earnest than Mr. 
Prince in promoting the great revival of 
1740. Mr. Whitfield received his full 
sympathy and hearty cooperation. And 
when many of the churches in and around 
Boston had become hostile to the move- 
ment, and were charging its friends with 
fanaticinm, the ** great Itinerant ** found in 
Mr. Prince a warm and able defender. 
When letters of warning came in, from 
prominent Divines, associations of minia- 
ters, and Harvard C<dlege even, both the 
Pastors of the Old South Church stood 
their ground firmly; and, with tongue 
and pen, by giving up their pulpit to 
Tennent and Whitfield, and with their 
prayers and brotheriy counsel, they helped 

• JM>MBSltt.,ToLil. 



16 



Thomas Prince. 



[Jan. 



onward the work. Mr. Prince contributed 
many pages to the " Christian History," — 
edited by his son, and undertaken at his 
suggestion— defending Whitfield against 
the aspersions of his opponents, calling 
attention to the progress of the revival, 
showing its Christian spiri^ and blessed 
results. The Church to which he minis- 
tered, shared largely in these fruits ; and 
it was the impulse received at this time, 
probably, which saved that Church from 
going down, half a century later, when so 
many churches around it were falling 
away from their foundations. It yet 
stands, a striking illustration of the fact, 
that any Church which would preserve 
it! doctrinal purity, and vigor of spiritual 
life, must hail the advent of revivals, and 
joyfully put itself in the way of their in- 
fluence. Could Thomas Prince have re- 
turned to the scenes of his ministry, and 
been, in 1858, what he was in 1743, no 
eye sooner than his would have detected 
the rising of the " little cloud ; " he would 
have been the last man to complain of 
any apparent irregularity ; and his whole 
soul and strength would have been de- 
voted to the great ingathering. 

The building in which the Old South 
Church now worship, is fragrant with 
memories of Mr. Prince. It replaced the 
original structure in 1 730, twelve years 
af\er his settlement. The early fathers of 
New England, owing to their dread of 
prelatical forms, would not have the 
Scriptures read in the public worship of 
God on the Sabbath. This prejudice was 
overcome during the ministry of Mr. 
Prince. April 24, 1737, the Church 
voted, ** that the holy Scriptures be read 
in public ai^er the first prayer, in the 
morning and afternoon : and that it be 
left to the discretion of the pastors, what 
parts of Scripture to be read, and what 
to expound." * It was on the 9th of Octo- 
ber, 1758, only two weeks before his 
death, that his people passed the follow- 
ing votes: ** 1. That the revisal and im- 
provement of the New England Version 

1 Dr. WiflMr*i Hist OM Sooth Ohuefa. p. 108, (n.) 



of the Psalms by our Pastor, the Rer. 
Mr. Prince ; together with the Hymns an- 
nexed, be used in the Church and Con- 
gregation, as our Psalm-Book. 2. That 
these Psalms be sung without reading line 
by line, as has been usual."* It is pleas- 
ant to meet with these votes of a grateful 
and appreciative flock ; and such records 
show that neither Mr. Prince nor his peo- 
ple were wedded to the past — that their 
piety was of an enterprising and progres- 
sive type ; standing as a worthy example 
to all their successors. 

A more extended notice of Mr. Prince's 
labors as a hymnologist, and also some 
estimate of his merits as an historian, 
must be postponed for a future Article. 

** The 22d of October, [1758,] will be 
remembered as a remarkable day in the 
history of the Town, and not only of 
Boston, but of New England ; for on that 
day died the Rev. Mr. Thomas Prince, a 
benefactor to his country ; leaving a name 
which will be venerated to the remotest 
ages, if literature shall then be valued ; a 
name which may with pride be emulated 
by the inquirers afler historical knowl- 
edge, and the admirers of precision and 
accuracy in the paths of history."* That 
22d of October was the Sabbath; the 
day on which his collection of Psalms 
and Hymns was used, for the first time, by 
his people. The lips of their beloved 
pastor were forever sealed ; but they still 
had his life and spirit embalmed in those 
sacred poems, to be with them, guiding 
them and comforting them. In the 
twinkling of an eye, had he been chang- 
ed ; mortality had blossomed into immor- 
tality; his own sweetest thoughts awoke 
in music on the tongues of his weeping 
congregation, as he sank into that blessed 
sleep which Christ giveth to His beloved. 
The mystery of the two lives was made 
perfect by his departure, for he still prais- 
ed God in the voices of the living, though 
gone to be a member of the choir of an- 
gels. 

2 Old South Eeeordfl, Blgtlow*a Oopy, Vol. I, p. SAT. 
S Itaiikt*i Hlifeocy of Boston, p. 616. 



1859.] (kngregtjiionalkm — its Feahires and Superiarities. ' 17 



CONGREGATIONALISM : 
ITS ESSENTIAL FEATURES, AND INHERENT SUPERIORITIES. 

BT REV. H. M. DEXTER, BOSTON. 

t 

It teems appropriate that the first nam- So, in the 20th chapter, (vv. 20-28,) 

ber of a new Quarterly, devoted to the when the mother of James and John was 

interests of Congregationalism, should con- an applicant, on behalf of her sons, for 

tttn some statement of its distinguishing some special place of honor in the new 

principles, and some exposition of the ^* kingdom/' and the application had dis- 

xeasons why those who love, and labor for turbed the other ten, as if the best places 

tl, believe that — both in its nature, and in that ** kingdom" were in danger of 

nataral resnlta — it is better fitted to bless being surreptitiously taken, Christ, in 

men and to glorify God, than any other rebuke and explanation, ** called them 

fimn of Church Grovemment The fol- unto him, and said: Ye know that the 

lowing article is an attempt briefly to in- princes of the Gentiles exercise do- 

dicate its distinctive peculiarities, and to* minion over them, and they that are 

establish its superior intrinsic excellence, great exercise authority upon them. 

1. What are the distinctive features of But it shall not be so among you : but 

Congregationalismj as compared with those whosoever will be great among you, let 

of other Ecclesiastical systems f him be your minister (dtdxoyog — *one 

This inquiry has special reference to dusty from running/ a runner or servant) ; 
Congregationalism as it enters, as a pre- And whosoever will be chief among you, 
sent force, into the religious life of men. let him be your servant (dovXog — * bond- 
But a preliminary glance backward is a slave/ humblest servant) ; even as the 
prerequisite to any intelligent answer. Son of man came not to be ministered 

The Church dates from days described unto, but to minister," &c. So, again, in 

in the book of Genesis. But the Christian the 23d chapter, (vv. 8-11,) Christ in- 

Charch had its origin in the teachings and structed his disciples : " Be not ye called 

labors of Jesus. The Gospels contain no Rabbi ; for one is your Master, even 

record of any prescribed organic plan Christ, and all ye are brethren. And 

ibr its life, yet we should miss the entire call no man your father (spiritual supe- 

teitimony of the New Testament upon the nor) upon the earth; for one is your 

subject, if we overlooked three important Father, which is in heaven. Neither be 

passages in the record of Matthew. 7^ called masters, (xadrjYr^Tal—' leaders 

In the 18th chapter, (vv, 16-1 7,) Christ of the conscience ') ; for one is your Mas- 
directs that an ofience which cannot be ter, even Christ But he that is greatest 
privately settled, be told to the Church, (really greatest) among you shall be your 
and " if he neglect to hear the Church, servant," (didxovog). These passages ne- 
(ix«i^a^—» the assembled/ the congrega- cessarily involve the doctrine of the in- 
tioo of believers,) let him be unto thee as herent essential equality in rank of all 
an heathen man and a publican ; " thus true believers on earth, and require theur 
establishing the principle that, so far as subjection only to God as Father, and to 
mtemal (Uscipline is concerned, the de- Christ as Teacher and Head. And, since 
cision of any associated local body of be- every organic body must have some gov- 
lieren shoidd be final to all under ita emment, these precepts — so far as they 
jurisdiction. were left unmodified to mould the future — 

8 



18 C^^^ratow^ 



appear to have been intended to control 
all ideas of government which might be 
subsequently proposed for the external 
development of the Christian Church, and 
oblige it, under whatever form, to recog- 
nize this essential equality among its entire 
membership, and provide for a minifltry of 
service and not of rule. 

We find no record of any counter 
teaching Scorn our Saviour's lips. The 
only passage which requires^ notice, as 
being even seemingly of different charac- 
ter, is that in the 16th of Matthew, (w. 
18-19,) where Christ, in response to Pe- 
ter's frank and earnest avowal of faith in 
his Messiahship, says : ** thou art Peter, 
(Iliiqog — Petros) and upon this rock 
(niiqq, — petra) I will build my Church ; 
and the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it. And I will give unto thee the 
keys of the kingdom of heaven : and what- 
ever thou shalt bind on earth shall be 
bound in heaven ; and whatsoever thou 
shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in 
heaven." This might, at first glance, look 
like the conferring of some special func- 
tion and honor upon Peter, either as an 
individual, or as the representative of a 
class. Accordingly we find that the 
Romish Church has, with short logic, rea- 
soned from this passage thus : * Peter was 
the rock on which the Church was built ; 
but a foundation rock must necessarily 
have existence, at least as long as its super- 
structure, and the promise must therefore 
be to Peter in some sense allowing of suc- 
cession, and so of permanence ; but the 
Bishop of Rome is the legitimate successor 
of Peter ; therefore diis promise of Christ 
is made to the Bishop of Rome, who, 
through all lime, is thus constituted the 
earthly head of the Church — having the 
power of (the keys) admitting to, or ex- 
cluding fix>m heaven.' This was not so 
understood, however, by the Apostles, for 
on one occasion (Acts xv : 7-80), the 
counsel of James was followed to the re- 
jection of that of Peter, and Paul once 
(Gal. ii : 11) ** withstood him to the face, 
becooae he was to be Uamed." Nor «Ud 



the early Christian Fathers so understand 
it.^ We find am6ng them indeed the 
germs of all subsequent criticism upon the 
subject It is obvious that Christ either 
referred to the declaration of faith which 
Peter had just made, and meant to say — 
" upon the rock of this great truth, I will 
build my Church;" or that he turned 
suddenly from Peter to himself, and meant 
to say — ** upon the rock of myself, as the 
Messiah, I will build my Church;" or 
that he referred directly to Peter, and 
meant, in some sense, to say — ^^ upon yon, 
Peter, I will build my Church." The 
latter is unquestionably the most natural, 
and therefore the most probable sense. 
Nor does it require the adoption of the 
Romish hypothesis — ^in itself unnatural 
and absurd, and unsupported by any 
shred of other Scripture. We simply 
need to understand here such a slight play 
upon words as is very coomion in the sa- 
cred writers (vide Matt v : 19, xx : 16, 
&c., &c.,) and we get a sound and strong 
and sufficient sense, without any sugges- 
tion of Peter's lordship over God's heri- 
tage either for himself, his class, or their 
successors. * Thou art Peter — Syriac, "Ce- 
phas " — (a rock, so named by Christ him- 
self—John i: 42, because of divine in- 
sight into his character) and upon this 
rock (this solid fitness — in essential bold- 
ness a^d firmness of character — for service 

1 Some few of th«m regarded the wtrpa of the 
Ohnrch as being Peter ; more as the faith of Peter ; 
others andemtood the reference to be to Christ. 
Aagnstine changed his view ttam the former to the 
latter, as he says, (Betrac, 1 : 21.) Jerome says, 
(Ed. Bened. ii : p. 688,) " Ecelesia Oatholfca taper 
Petram Christum stabili radioe fundata est." Am- 
brose says, (in Lne. ix: 90,) " Fetra est Chn$tu$: 
edam dlsoipolo sao hnjos rooabali gratiam non 
negarit nt ipse sit Petms, qaod de^ Petra habeat 
soliditatem constantiae, fldei flrmitatem." Aagnstine 
ealls Ptnil "Ipse capatet prlneeps Apoatolorom.** 
(Xd. Beoedle. iU: 281S.) So Ambmes declares, (De 
Spir. Sano. U : 18,) " nee Paulas inferior Petro." 
And Theophylact, (Luc. z.) calls aU the Apostles 
Kopv^aiot — head men, leaders of the Ohareh. Xren 
€lrcgory YII. (Hildebrand) admUted the doctrine 
taoght last by Aognstiae, for when he deposed 
Henry IT., he sent a crown to Radolphas with the 
Inscription, " Pura (Chrift) dedit Fnro, Petras dla- 
dama Bodolpho/*— (ridt Buontoii T«L xl* f. IM.) 



1869.] (hngpregaiioMlimt — ik Features- and SuperiorUm. 10 



in the difficiilt work of winning men to 
tbe Gospel,) I will build mj Church; 
thy labors shall become a foundation 
stone on which it shall rise/ This inter- 
pretation is borne out by the fact that 
Peter was the first to preach Christ to 
both Jews (Acts ii : 14,) and Gentiles, 
(Acts X : 34.) Olshausen seems to lean 
toward the idea that Peter's enunciated 
truth was the rock, yet he says, (YoL 1, 
p. 550, Kendrick's translation,) *^ the faith, 
and Ids confession of it, must not he re- 
garded as » apart from Peter himself per- 
umaUy; it is identified with him — ^not 
mth the old Simon but with the new Pe^ 
ter." And as to the power of the keys, it 
is enough to suggest that, so far as the 
natural idea of opening which attaches to 
a key is modified by Biblical use, it gets 
mainly the sense of * power of superintend- 
ence with reference to the bestowal of 
certain privileges,' ^ and its simple use 
would seem to be to promise to Peter that 
he shall be made the instrument for open- 
ing the door of the Church to the world, 
as he was made afler the ascension. And 
if any idea of vesting power over the 
Church in Peter, as an individual, or as 
representing the Apostles, be insisted on 
in connection with this verse, by turning 
over to the 18th chapter (v. 18,) it will 
become clear, that the same power of 
binding and loosing was there conferred — 
and in the same language — upon the 
whole body of the disciples — the entire 
Church, as then existing. So that this 
passage, in no sense, contradicts or mod- 
ifies those teachings of firatemal equality 
among his followers, which Christ had be- 
fore solemnly promulged. 

So far, then, as the Grospels are con- 
cerned, it appears to be settled that as 
Christ was the visible and only head of 
his Church so long as he remained on 
earth, and beside him there was no supe- 

1 TtrtoUiaa (<to Munlte adr. Pfyeh. o. 16,) n/s, 
ftUudbig to PftaPs permiisloD (1 Gor. x : 26,) to Mt 
** wtaAltVOT Is aold In the ahambles," ** oIatm maoelli 
tM fermdldlt ;>*— Pmil hu giren to yon the keys of the 
mmt merfrwt meiriag fnm authority to buy uid 
•■I vhatcfw is Mid tbMSt 



riority and no ruling, but all were breth- 
ren, equal in rights, however unequal in 
their performance of service, or their earn- 
ing of honor ; so it was his idea and inten- 
tion in regard to the practical develop- 
ment of the Christian Church through all 
the ages, that he should remain, though 
ascended, its invisible yet still real and 
only head, and that its membership should 
permanently stand on the same broad 
platform of essential equality. 

Passing on to the Acts of the Apostles, 
we shall see that they bear the most de- 
cided testimony that this teaching of 
Christ was received, and acted upon, by 
his followers, in the sense which we have 
put upon it The* Christian Church of 
the first century — so far as the Acts of the 
Apostles convey its history — was governed, 
not by Peter, or any other Apostle, as in 
Christ's stead ; nor by all the Apostles, in 
their own right, or by any delegation of 
power from Christ ; but by itself— by its 
entire membership— debating, deciding, 
doing. 1 



1 TheeneDoe of the GhrUrtiaii eonmranlty reeiedon 
thie : that no one indlfidoal should be the chosen, 
pre<imlnent organ of the Holy Spirit for the gnidanoe 
of the whole ; but all were to oodperate, each at his 
particular position, and with the gifts bestowed on 
him, one supplying what might be wanted by 
another, for the adranoement of the Christian lift 
and the common end. — Neander, Vol. 1, p. 181. 

The Jewish and later Catholic antitheais of clergy 
and laity has no place in the apostolio age. The 
ministers, on the one part, are as sinftil and depend- 
ent on redeeming grace as the members of the con- 
gregations ; and the members, on the other, ihare 
equally with the ministers in the blesslni^ of the 
gospel, enjoy equal freedom of access to the throne 
of grace, and are called to the same direct communion 
with Christ, the head of the whole body.— SchafT. 
History of the Christian Church, A. D., l-SU ; p. 
131. 

The anembled people, therefore, elected their own 
rulers and teachers, or by their free consent receired 
such as were nominated to them. They also, by 
their luffrages, rc^Jeeted or confirmed the laws that 
were proposed by their rulers, in their assemblies ; 
they excluded profligate and lapsed brethren, and 
restored them ; they decided the controTerdes and 
disputes that arose ; they heard and determined the 
causes of preebyters and deacons; in a word, the 
people did eTerything that is proper for those In 
whom the tvpremt power of the community is tested. 
• • Among all the members of the Church, of 
whatsTsr ciaas or oondlUon, there «m the asoit ptr* 



20 C(mgregciti(mdKsm — its Features and Superiorities. [Jaii. 



This is made evident by the examina- 
tion of all those passages which contain a 
record of church action. In the appoint- 
ment of some one in place of Judas, (Acts 
i : 15-26) it appears that an hundred and 
twenty church members were present, and 
Peter, after referring to the fate of the 
apostate, expresses his conviction of the 
necessity that some one who had been 
in and out with them in attendance on 
Christ's teachings, should (ysviaOai) be 
made, or appointed, an official witness, 
with the eleven, of "his resurrection." 
And they appointed two, (JSairjuav d{fO — 
they * caused or selected to stand forward 
two ') and then, being unable or unwilling 
to decide between them, having joined in 
solemn prayer to Christ that he would de- 
cide for them — receiving him as still their 
real and only head — they gave forth their 
lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, who 
was thenceforth numbered with the eleven 
Apostles. Moshcim even goes so far as 
to translate this phrase (sduixav xX/iQovg — 
*gave forth their lots'), they cast their 
votes, making the passage teach that the 
suffrage of the one hundred and twenty 
was introduced not merely, as it confess- 
edly was, in the selection of the two, but 
in the subsequent election of the one. 
And even Chrysostom (Hom. Ad. Act. i. 
p. 25,) says : " Peter did every thing here 
with the common consent; nothing, by 
his own will and authority. He left the 
judgment to the multitude, to secure their 
respect to the elected, and to free himself 
from every invidious reflection. He did 
not himself appoint the two, it was the 
act of all." Perhaps the real sense of the 
passage may be cleared by considering 
the nature of their subsequent action, 
which it would be natural to assume — in 
the absence of any evidence to the con- 
trary' — would be in harmony with what 
was then done. 

We find, then, (Acts vi : 1-6) that when 

ftct eqaality ; which they manifested by their lore 
flBMts*, by the use of the appellatioDB, brethren and 
Misiertt Mid In other ways.— Mordock'f Moihdm, 
ToL 1, pp. C8, 69. 



it became needful to appoint deacons to 
aid the apostles in " serving tables,** the 
twelve assembled " the mnltitade of the 
disciples," and, having explained the ne- 
cessit}", said : " Brethren, look ye out 
among you (inurxitpaads — ^search oat*) 
seven men of honest report, full of the 
Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may 
appoint {xtttaat^aofisy — *set in place/ 

* cause to stand,' ^ induct into c^ce,') over 
this business. And the saying pleased 
the multitude, (narrbs rov nli/idovg — *• the 
all of the fulness of people,')' and they 
chose (i^eli^ayjo — ^* selected out') Ste- 
phen, &c. &c., whom they set before the 
Apostles," — for what purpose appears from 
the record of what was done : ^ And 
when they [the Apostles] had prayed, 
they laid their hands on them," i. e. by 
way of solemnly inducting them into the 
office to which they had been chosen by 
the free suffrage of all. We find, more- 
over, that the whole membership acted in 
the choice of the messengers, or delegates 
of the Church, as Paul says (2 Cor. viii : 
19), in honor of Titus, that it was not 
only true that his praise was in the gospel 
throughout all the churches, but that he 
had also been ** chosen (x^tQOToyijOele — 

* appointed by vote of the outstretched ^ 
hand,') of the churches to travel" with 
himself. So the whole Church voted in 
the choice of their presbyters or pastors. 
The authorized version indeed says (Acts 
xiv : 23) of Paul and Barnabas : ** And 

1 This eenae of the Ttrb is not only eCymologleaUy 
exact, but it has the sanction of the usage of the 
classical and early Christian writerii Demostheniif 
{De CorofULy sec. 65 and sec. 9,) uses the Terb hrixti* 
poTowtiv in the sense of electing by show of a map 
Jority of hands. (See also Smith*s Dic'y Greek and 
Roman Antiq. p. 271, art. Cheirotonia.) So Ignatius 
(Ad Phil. c. 10,) says :" it will become you, as the 
church of (}od, to choose' by hand rote {xf^poroptivai) 
some deacon to go there." So (Ad Smym. c. 11,) be 
says : *< it will be fitting, and for the honor of God, 
that your church elect (xctporoy^cai) some worthy 
del^^te." MoreoTer, the Council at Neocaeaarea 
(Cone. Neocaes. c. 11,) forbade that a presbyter be 
chosen (/iif xc'/>oroy(iff0ci)) under thirty years of aga. 
The Council of Antioch (Cone Antioch, o. 19), and 
tha Apostolical Canons ((^an. Apoa. o.l,) OM tlis 
iiiiM word in tbtiaiiM 



).] Ctrngregaiknalim^-'^ Features and SuperMUes. 21 



they had ordained them elden in 
Church, and prayed, with &8ting, 
iommended them to the Lord/' &c., 
ig the impression that the elders, or 
fters, or pastors, were put over the 
lies by Paul and Barnabas in right 
ir Apostleship, and without any in- 
on even, of consultation with, or con- 
rom, the churches. But the passage 
ly reads, " now having (j[Biqoxop- 
es) chosen^ by vote of the outstretched 
eiders in every Church," &c. This 
seem to mean either that Paul and 
kbas by voting thus, chose elders for 
torches, or that they simply secured 
mperintended the choice in each 
;h, by vote of the Church, of the ne- 
y officers, — which latter sense not 
its better the proprieties of the case 
id, but corresponds more faithfully 
the tenor of the general record.^ 

Alexander, himBelf a Preebjterlan — whom 
ents of the New Testament Greek will respect 
jid eritle — says of this transaction : " the oae 
particular ezpreesion, which originally signi- 
Tote of an assembly, does suflEloe to Justify us 
KMing that the method of election was the 

that recorded, (Acts Ti : 6, 6,) where it is ex- 
recorded that the people chose the eeTen, and 
.▼• ordained them."~Alezander on Acts, toI. 

t Barnes, also a Preebjrterian, says on this 
, ** probably all that is meant by it is that 
iol and Barnabas) presided in the assembly 
m choice was made. It does not mean that 
pointed them without consulting the Church, 
rldently means that they appointed them in 
fcl way of appointing officers, by the suffrage 
•ople." — Notes on Acts, p. 211. 
f the older critics we find Matthew Tlndal 
Rights of the Chr. Chh. Asserted, &c. Lond. 
' We read only of the Apostles constituting 
y the suffrages of the people, which, ac it Is 
line signification of the Greek word used, so 
)rdingly interpreted by Erasmus, Beia, Bio- 
id those who translated the Swiss, French, 
Belgic, and eren English Bibles, till the 
al correction, which leares out the words 
idon,' as well as the marginal notes, which 
aat the Apostles did not thrust Pastors into 
reh through a lordly superiority, bat chose 
Md thmn there by the Toice of the congrega- 

tie's translation (A. D. 16S4,) reads, **And 
mj had ordened them seniours by eleocion in 
mgregacion," &c. Cranmer's, (A. D. 1689,) 
rhen they had ordened them elders by elee- 
wwtj ooBgregMlon," &o. Xh« Qntmn, 



Evidently, also, the whole Church acted 
in the discipline of offending members — 
as Christ had commanded (Matt xviii : 
17)— for Paul says (1 Cor. v : 18,) to the 
Church at Corinth of a certain offender, 
** put away from yourselves that wicked 
person.'* And afterward, (2 Cor. ii : 6,) 
he says — apparently referring to subse- 
quent action of theirs in the same case, 
which had been caused by his advice — 
^ sufficient unto such a man is this punish- 
ment, which was inflicted (j^tio rQy 
nls^dt^atv) of * the many,' i. e. the mass of 
the voting Church. It b also very clear 
that the whole membership was consulted 
in cases of doubt and difficulty. This was 
done in regard to Peter (Acts xi : 1-18,) 
when there was a question whether he 
had done right in preaching the Gospel to 
the Crentiles, and, after they had heard the 
evidence in the case, they (*' the Apostles 
and brethren,") " held their peace and 
glorified God, sa3ring: then hath God 
also to the Gentiles granted repentance 
unto life." So, in the question whether 
to require Gentile converts to be circum- 
cised or not, we find (Acts xv : 4-31,) 
that Paul and Barnabas ** were received 
of the Church and of the Apostles and 
elders," and stated the case, after which 
** it pleased the Apostles and elders, toith 
the whole Churchy to send chosen men of 
their own company to Antioch," &c. They 
accordingly chose Judas and Silas — who 
were neither Apostles nor elders, but only 
** chief men among the brethren " — ^to go 
to Antioch, and sent a letter by them, be- 
ginning: **the Apostles and elders and 
brethren^ send greeting," &c. When this 
committee reached Antioch, they called 
not the officers of the Church, merely, 
together, but (t6 Tikrfioi;) the multitude, 
and delivered them the Epistle, ** which 
when they had read, they rejoiced for the 
consolation." Thus the whole book of the 
Acts is veined by like democratic refer- 

(A. D. 1567,) " And when ibey had ordained tbem 
elders by election in erery Ohnrohe," Ite. The 
Bheiffls, (A. D. 1582,) ** And when they hwi ordaiiMd 
to Uum piiMli in afiiy Ohnnli,'' ft«. 



%% 



Qmffipegalmo^^ |Ja9. 



ence to ** tha brethren," as the court of 
ultimate i^peal, and the last lesidence of 
the power that was in the Church. This 
same chapter goes on to tell us signifi- 
cantly (y. 33,) that after Judas and Silas 
had tarried a space at Antioch, ^* they 
were let go, in peace, from ike brethren^ 
unto the Apostles." 

The Apostles were, from the speciality 
of their position, exceptional to all rules, 
yet they were always careful to throw the 
weight of their influence on the side of 
popular rights. They counted themselves 
'* less than the least of all saints," and 
their language to tilie masses of the Church 
was, ^ ourselves your servants for Jesus' 
sake." They claimed no authority over 
the Church because they were Apostles, 
and taught those chosen of the Church 
whom they inducted into office, that it 
was not their function to be ** lords over 
6od*s heritage," but ** ensamples to the 
flock." They indeed exercised, in the 
beginning, some practical control over the 
in^EUit churches— just as our missionaries 
do among the heathen now — ^but it i^ 
pears to have been pro tempore^ and 
ceased so soon as the churches were in 
circumstances to enter upon the normaT 
conditions of their life. They addressed 
the membership of the Church as *' breth- 
ren" and ** sisters," and when remonstra- 
ting with them for any irregularity, it was 
still with them as ** brethren." They treat- 
ed the churches as independent bodies, 
capable of, and responsible for self-gov- 
emment They reported their doings to 
them, as if amenable to them — (Acts xi : 
1-18, xiv; 26, 27, &c., &c.) In their 
Epistles they addressed the whole body of 
helieversj especially when they spoke of 
matters requiring action. Paul's Epistle 
to Philippi, begins: **Paul and Timo- 
theus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all 
the saints in Christ Jesus which are at 
Philippi — with the bishops (pastors) and 
deacons." They recognized the right of 
the churches to send out messengers and 
evangelists. They consulted with the 
churches, and the result of the discuasion 



about circumciaon waa published in the 
name of *Hhe Apostles and elders and 
brethren." They advised the churches to 
settle their own difficulties, (1 Cor.vi: 
1-8,) never assuming to adjust them ber 
cause they were Apostles. They laid the 
whole matter of electing officers and diftf 
ciplining ofl*enders upon the churches— ^ 
functions whose ve^ nature involved in 
this action of theirs the most radical and 
convincing testimony that they believed 
the membership of the Church to be, un* 
der Christ, the ultimate residence of 
ecclesiastical power. They appear to 
have even devolved the administratkm of 
the Christian ordinances upon the pastors 
of the individual churches. Paul thanks 
Grod that he personally baptized very 
few. Peter did not, himself^ baptize Cor- 
nelius, and his companions, (Acts x : 48.) 

The Apk)stles, then, filled a peculiar, 
self-limiting and temporary office. They 
had the oversight of the planting of 
churches, and the care of them in dieir 
first immaturity. Paul speaks of himself 
as burdened — not with the bishopric of 
some particular territory, but with ** that 
which cometh upon me daily, the care of 
all the churches" The same appears to 
have been true of his brethren — all, sep- 
arately and together, wherever Christ 
might call, and however Christ might 
guide — ^laboring " for the perfecting of the 
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the 
edifying of the body of Christ" Chrysoa- 
tum says, (as cited by Campbell, Lee., p. 
77,) ** the Apostles were constituted of 
God first-men (overseers, leaders,) not of 
separate cities and nations, but all were 
entrusted with the world : " (iurly imb 
Osov xsf'QO'^oifi^diifTee ^datolot d^j^oyTS^ 
o^M Wfri »al 7i6keig d§aq>6govs Ao/i/?dy6r- 
T65, dtXhi n&vT6g xoif-j x^i' olxovfukvijr 
ifiTnatsvOhxeg.) When they died, they 
left the churches to go on in this line of 
democratic life which they evidently felt 
that Christ had prompted, and which 
they had, clearly, labored to promote. 

Placing this by the side of those deduc- 
tions from our Saviour's teachings which 



1869.] Cm(gregMmiiaMtm — fife Feal^iemmA ^vf^HMIm. 23 



we bare dreadj made, we seem to get 
Tery dear and sufficient evidence thai the 
Ckristiaa Chareh, as it went forth from 
tiie immediate impress of the Savioar and 
bb inspired followers, on its Divine mission 
of preaching the Grospel to every creatnre, 
was essentially democratic, or Congrega- 
tional, in form — recogniring no power of 
Tofing above its membership below Christ, 
still its Great Head ; its few and simple 
offices bdng offices of service and not of 
mastership; and its presiding and con- 
trolling spirit one of fraternity, simplicity 
and universal responsibility. 

As this Chnrch of churches went abroad 
on its hdy mission, it would naturally go 
in this spirit, and conform its develop- 
ments everywhere to the pattern to which 
it had been accustomed at Jerusalem. 
Gieseler (Davidson's trans., v. 1, p. 90,) 
says : " the new churches out of Palestine 
Ibrmed themselves after the pattern of the 
mother Church in Jerusalem ; " and the 
earliest and most tmstworthy authorities 
which have come down to us confirm his 
words, and indicate that the democratic 
dement continued to be characteristic of 
the Church for at least the first two hun- 
dred years. Clement of Rome, writing to 
the Church at Corinth before the close of 
the first century, describes the regulations 
established by the Apostles for the appoint- 
ment of those who were to follow them in 
instructing the people, viz : that it should 
be (ovi^evdonf^&Gijg -n^g iMxXijalagndcnjg) 
Ae whole Church approving, Tertollian, 
writing about A. D., 200, says, (Apol. c. 
89,) that the elders were chosen {testimo- 
mo) by the free suffrage of the people. 
Origen (Contr. Cel.) A. D., 240, describes 
the officers of the churches as being 
{iukBy6fUP(H) elected to their office ; and 
in another place (Hom. ad Levit) he 
fays that the people ought to be present 
when a priest is ordained, that they may 
better judge who is fit for the office — ** ut 
sciant omnes, et certe sint, quia qui prsBs- 
tantior est ex omni populo, qui doctior, 
qui saactior, qui in omni virtute ennnen- 
fim ' iPe dytmr 'ad aacerdotium, et boo 



adstante populo, ne qua pottmodum, 
retraetatio cuiquam, ne quis icmpuhia 
resideret." Cjrpriaa, A. D., 258, (Epis. 
68,) recognizes the same custom, and says 
the people have the power of choosing 
worthy priests, and of rejecting unworthy 
ones; — ^'*Plebs * * habeat potestatem 
vel eligendi dignos sacerdotes, vel indignos 
recusandi." It is matter of record that 
there were instances, even to the fourth 
century, in which the mass of the Church, 
of their own accord, and by acclamation, 
made ch<»ce of their presbyters or bish- 
ops. Eustatius at Aatioch, A. D., 310, 
was thus elected, (Theodoret Hist £ccL 
Lib. i, c. 6) ; so was Ambrose, of Milan, 
even before his baptism, A. D. 874, (Paulin, 
Vit Ambrose, Rafin. Hist EccL Lib. ii, 
c. 11) ; so Martin of Tours, A. D., 875, 
(Sulpic. Sev. Vit Blar., c 7,) ; and Chrys- 
ostum, at Constantinople, as late as A. D. 
898, (Socrat Hist Eccl. Lib. vii, c. 2). 
Up to this date, then, at least in part, the 
people retained their right of electing 
their spiritual guides. It is remarkable 
that a trace of this old Congregationalism, 
to this day, maintains and justifies itself in 
the very ritual of the Papal system, since 
the Bishop is made to say, while ordaining 
a priest, ** it was not without good reason 
that the fathers had ordained that the ad" 
vice of the people should he taken in the 
election of those persons who were to serve 
at the altar ; to the end that having given 
assent to their ordination they might &e 
more readily yield obedience to those who 
were so ordained " — (neque enim frustra 
a patribus institutum, ut de electione 
illorum qui ad regimen altaris adhibendi 
sunt, consulatur etiam populus, &c., &c., 
(Pontif. Rom. De Ordinat Pres., fol. 88.) 
Siricius, Bishop of Rome, A. D. 885-898, 
mentions election by the people as need- 
ful to the presbyter ; (Ep. 1, ad Himer., 
c. 10,) '*presbyterio vel episcopatui, si 
eum cleri ac pUbis vocaverit electio, noo 
immerito societur." 

As the fervor of the piety of the Apos- 
tolic age gradually cooled under the inva- 
sion of ambition and woridlinen, ftouft- 



24 0(mgregalmdli8m — Us Features and Superiorities. [Jab. 



ing the desire for office, and inyestiDg 
that office with secular show and power, 
this right of popular suffrage waned into 
little more than a mere empty name, and 
the assemblies became political and tu- 
multuous in their character, to an extent 
which called for rebuke and reform. The 
Council of Laodicea attempted to apply 
a corrective by excluding the rabble (toT; 
8;^Xoif ) from part in such election ; and 
in the Latin Church a class of officers 
was constituted, whose duty it was to visit 
vacant dioceses, and seek to harmonize 
confficting interests. Thus, by the desire 
of ambitious men among the clergy to 
acquire power, favored by the fact that 
their superior culture gave them, of ne- 
cessity, great influence over a compara- 
tively illiterate Church membership, the 
way was prepared for a policy which, 
when fully inaugurated, swept the order 
of the Church * clean over* from the simple 
democracy of Jerusalem and Antioch, to 
the antipodal abomination of the Papacy. 
Neighboring churches were consolidated 
into one bishopric, and aggregated bish- 
oprics grew into a vast hierarchy, which 
overcame all popular resistance, and set- 
tled itself securely for centuries at Rome, 
and gave birth there to those monstrous 
and malignant heresies of doctrine, and 
those mournful and miserable immorali- 
ties of life which, raying out gloom upon 
the general mind and heart, brought on 
the long night of ** the dark ages." 

Luther and his immediate co-workers 
in the Reformation were so engrossed by 
the consideration of the religious errors of 
Romanism, and so intent to restore the 
doctrine of justification by fsuth alone, to 
its ancient and scriptural place before the 
people, that they seem, for a time, to have 
overlooked the fact that the organic con- 
stitution of the Church had been changed 
from its original simplicity quite as much 
as the great doctrines of fiskith ; with the 
related fact that those very errors of doc- 
trine had come in through the door opened 
for them by those organic modifications. 
Nor can we finget that the fint Befimn- 



ers were so dependent upon the coopera- 
tion and protection of the secular arm of 
kings, princes and nobles, who would 
have frowned upon any attempt to intro- 
duce radical reform into the outward 
structure of the existing Church, that they 
may readily have felt that if sCny effort in 
that direction were desirable, the time 
had not yet come when it could be wisely 
attempted. It was only when further ex- 
perience had taught the truly pious that 
a hierarchy with the doctrine of justifica- 
tion by fisdth could be just as tyrannical 
as a hierarchy without it, and that any 
comfortable and equitable enjoyment of 
the individual right of thought and action 
was beyond hope so long as the modtu 
operandi of the Church remained as it 
was ; that the philosophy of the connection 
between the outward form and the in- 
ward life of religion began to be reasoned 
out, and men, reading their Bibles anew 
with this point specially in mind, at length 
made the startiing discovery that the gen- 
uine Church of the New Testament — that 
pure and simple democracy which Christ 
gathered about himself, and which the 
Apostles nurtured, and which was be- 
queathed to the future as the instrument 
of its regeneration, no longer had visible 
existence among men. 

This discovery was most fully made by 
the English Puritans. Attempting to or- 
ganize their own religious life in accord- 
ance with it, at Scrooby and elsewhere, 
the English hierarchy drave them out 
with violence. They cast about for a 
country where they might reproduce the 
Apostolic model, and make the attempt 
to bring men back to its understanding 
and imitation. Before our fathers landed 
on the rock of Plymouth they were band- 
ed together into a Congregational Church, 
on the principles which have given ao 
much of vitality and victory to the Con- 
gregationalism of our land. This is its 
great fundamental principle, viz : 

The Bible — interpreted by sanctified 
common sense^ with all wise helps from his- 
tory,/rom nature^from all knowledge^ and 



1859.] (hngregaUonoMsm — Us Features and SuperwriUes. 25 



especially from the revealing Spirit — is the 
anlify and sufficient, and authoritative guide 
in all matters of Christian practice, as it is 
in all matters of Christian faith : so that 
tohat the Bible teaches — by precept, exam- 
ple^ or legitimate inference — is imperative 
upon all men, at all times ; while nothing 
which it does not so teach, can be impera- 
iive upon any man cU any time. 

Oat of this fundamental principle, ap- 
plied to the Bible, grow the following 
subordinate principles, viz : — 

Anj company of Christian people asso- 
ciated hy voluntary compact, for Christ- 
ian work and worship, is a self-complete 
and independent Church of Christ 

Such a Church should, ordinarily, con- 
nst only of those who can conveniently 
worship, and labor with, and watch over, 
each other. 

Every member of every such Church 
has equal essential rights and powers 
with every other member, and the mem- 
bership together, by vote of the majority, 
(though, so far as possible, there should be 
no minority in Congregationalism,) have 
the right to choose their own officers, dis- 
cipline their own members, and transact 
all other appropriate business, independ- 
ently of any control except that of Christ, 
their Head. 

Though every such Church is thus equal 
in essential rights and powers with every 
other, and independent of all external 
earthly ecclesiastical control, yet, when 
difficulties arise, or especially important 
matters claim decision, it is competent 
and dearable that such churches should, 
in a fraternal manner, advise each other 
— assembling by delegation in Council 
for that purpose — such advice being, how- 
erer, tendered only as one friend coun- 
aels another, subject in all cases to the 
final decision of the party asking for it 

The officers which Christ has designated 
for his churches are of two kinds, the first, 
indiscriminately called, in the New Tes- 
tament, Presbyters, Bishops, rulers or pre- 
liders. Elders or Overseers^ — called by us 

• — ■ — ^M^MB ■ . ■■ I .1 !■ ■■ ■ — ■! ■ ■ ■ ■ I- ■ ™ I m 

1 The fact of the equality and identity of Biihope, 
4 



Pastors ; who preach the word and have 
the general oversight of the spiritual con- 
cerns of the Church; the second. Dea- 
cons, who attend to the relief of the poor, 
and the secular affairs of the organization, 

Preibyten, and Eldcn, is established by the follow- 
ing Scripture testimony : 

(1.) The na$neM are applied indiscriminately to 
the same persons. Paul called tocether the Etders 
(irpeaPvTipovi — * presbyters ',) of the Church of 
Sphesus (Acts zz : 17,) and when they were come to 
Miletus, he said to them, {v. 28,) ** take heed there- 
fore unto yonraelTes, and to all the flook, OTer which 
the Holy Ohoet hath made you oreneers." {iiri<TK6- 
rovi — * bishops.^) So (ntui i :) he says, he left 
Titiy in Crete to ** ordain elders in erery city," and 
then deeorlbes the qnalitiss to be sought in them, 
one of which is {v. 7,) "a bishop {UloKonov) must 
be blameless," &o. So (1 Peter, t : 2. 8,) he exhorts 
the eiders to " feed the flock of Qod, taking the over- 
sight ( irtoKoirovvni )— ^ aettng the MsAop,') OTer them, 
not by constraint," &o. 

(2.) Elders or Presbyters, or Bishops, are re- 
quired to haTe the same qualifia^ions. See 1 Timt 
iii : 2-7, and Titus i : 6-10, where the same requisi* 
tions, in the same terms, are made of each. 

(3.) The same duties were assigned to them. See 
Heb. xiii : 7, 17, 1 These, r : 12, 1 Tim. t : 17, AcU 
zx : 28, &c., &c. 

This testimony of Scripture is oonflrmed by the 
earliest History. Clement, writing about A. D.f 96, 
says, (Epis. Ad. Cor., sec. 42, p. 67,) *' the Apostles, 
preaching in countries and cities, appointed the first 
fruits of their labors to be bishops and deacons^ hav- 
ing proved them by the Spirit." Polyearp, A. D , 
140, (Ep. c. 6, 6,) gives an account of the qualifica- 
tions necessary for presbyters or elders, and deacons, 
but says nothing about any bishops. Justin (died 
A. D., 166,) specifies two orders of Church officers, 
and only two, as existing in the Church, vis : pT«- 
sidiog officers, or presbyters, or elders, and deacons, 
(Apol. 1, c. 67.) Jerome (died A. D., 426,) affirms 
the early identity of bishops and elders— citing Phil, 
i : i. Acta XX : 17, 28, Titus i : 6, 1 Tim. iv : 14, and 1 
Peter, v : 1— and distinctly declares that in later years 
one was elected to preside over the others, and gives 
the reason for it: (quod autem postea unus eleotus 
est qui ceteris prseponeretur, in sehimnatis remedium 
factum est, ne unusquisque ad se trahens Christi 
Ecclesiam rumperet.— fp. <id Evag.y Ed. Basle, 
1687, torn. 2, p. 829.) When the name ' bishop ' first 
came into ecelesiastioal use, it waa strictly as a syn- 
onyme for * presbyter,' or * presider,' or * pastor,* 
and not at all in its present sense. Even the Coun- 
cils of Sardica, and of Laodica, in the fourth century, 
denounced the custom of ordaining * bishops ' in 
small villages, lest it should bring the office into con- 
tempt. The doctrine of the diviae right of Bishops 
was never heard of until lees than 800 years ago, 
wheu Dr. Bancroft preached a sermon (Jan. 12, 
16b8,) which broached that doctrine, and caused a 
great sensation throughout England. (Vide Hither- 
ton, pp. 49, 60 ) 



26 ChngregatitmaHsnir^a Features and Superimties. [ Jak 

and aid the Pastor, generally, in his toil, ed local churches, bat that * the Church ' is 



as they have ability and opportunity. 

If we were to compress these five prin- 
ciples into their most compact form, we 
might say that the three great practical, 
working ideas of the C!ongregationali8m of 
the New Testament are these : 

(1.) That all local churches are asso- 
ciations of believers ; independent, equal, 
fraternal, self-complete and self-governed. 

(2.) That all ecclesiastical power re- 
sides in the individual membership of such 
local churches. 

(3.), That Christ ordained but two 
grades of Church officers, and they to be 
servants, and not masters of His Church. 

In order to throw out these principles 
into greater distinctness, let us compare 
them — as briefly as possible — in their 
order, with the seminal principles of other 
ecclesiastical bodies. 

(1.) All local churches are associa- 
tions of believers; independent, equal, 
fratemaU self-complete and self-governed. 

With this principle the Papal Church 
joins issue, affirming that there is no such 
thing as a local Church of Christ, and no 
such thing as any Church self-governed, 
but that * the Church ' of Christ is a vast 
assemblage of men in all lands who are 
willing to partake of the sacraments ; con- 
solidated under the Divinely organized 
hierarchy, of one Pope, seventy Cardinals, 
and an indefinite number of Archbishops, 
Bishops, Archdeacons, Deans, Priests, 
Deacons, Sub-deacons, and other officers. 

With this principle the Greek and other 
Patriarchal churches, and the Lutheran, 
English, and Protestant Episcopal church- 
es join issue ; affirming that there is no 
such thing as a local Church, self-complete 
and self-governed, but that * the Church ' 
is an aggregation of men, baptized and 
taking the sacraments together; under the 
government of hierarchies variously ar- 
ranged and officered, and worshipping 
with various rites and ceremonies. 

With this principle the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church joins issue, affirming that 
there are no self-complete and self-govem- 



a wide organization of men who ^ desire to 
flee from the wrath to come, and to be 
saved from their nns,'' (Doctrines and 
Discipline of Meth. Epis. Ch., ch. 2, sec 
1. 4.); who are amenable to a govern- 
ment and discipline in part self-moved, 
and in part controlled by their Preach- 
ers; Quarterly, Annual, and Greneral 
Conferences ; and Bishops* 

With this principle the Presbyterian 
Church joins issue, affirming that there 
are local churches — and these composed 
only of those who give credible evidence 
of piety — ^but neither self-complete nor 
self-governed, but affiliated, for govern- 
ment and discipline, into Presbyteries, 
these into Synods, and these into the 
General Assembly — the highest and last 
tribunal. 

(2.) Examine, now, our second dis- 
tinctive feature — that all ecclesiastical 
power resides in the individual member- 
ship of the local Church — and see how it 
works in contrast with other systems. 

Test it in regard to the election of a 
Pastor. A Congregational Church freely 
invites whomsoever it pleases to preach 
the Word in its pulpit, and administer its 
ordinances, and makes such arrangements 
with him in regard to the matter as it 
thinks will be agreeable to Christ, its 
great invisible, yet actual. Head. But the 
local parishes of the Papal, Patriarchal, 
Lutheran, English, and Methodist Episco- 
pal Churches have no such liberty or 
power, and no semblance nor shadow of 
it. They must take the person whom the 
Bishop or other constituted authority may 
send — like him or dislike him as they 
may. The Protestant Episcopalian, and 
Presbyterian hierarchies allow their local 
bodies more seeming freedom in the mat- 
ter. A^ Episcopalian Parish ncnninates a 
candidate for its Rectorship to its Bishop ; 
who, however, may confirm or reject the 
nomination at pleasure. So a Presbyte- 
rian Church — under direction of its Ses- 
sion of Elders, by Commissioners — ^prac- 
tically nominates its candidate for Pastor 



1859.] Congregationd&sm — Us Features and 8uperimties. 27 



to tke Presbyteiy, under whose immediate 
care the candidate ma^ happen to be, who 
^ present the caU,** or not, as they please, 
to an unordidned man ; and who '^ upon the 
whole view of the case, either continue 
him in his former charge, (if ordained,) 
or translate him, as they deem to be most 
lor the peace and edification of the 
Church." (Form of Gov., Boo^ 1, chaps, 
xv. and xtL) 

Compare it in regard to the admission 
of members. When a person desires to 
gain admission to a Congregational Church, 
he must present the evidence of his Chris- 
tian character to its membership— either, 
as is usual in small churches, directly, or as 
is frequently the case in larger ones, indi- 
rectly, through the intervention of an " Ex- 
amining Committee," appcunted for that 
purpose — and then the entire membership 
admit or reject his application, by vote, as 
&eir judgment and conscience decide will 
be most agreeable to Christ, their Head. 
On the other hand, the Episcopal churches 
admit members by act of the Bishop, on 
the certificate of the Bector, that they 
have been baptized, have come to years 
of discretion, can say the Catechism, the 
Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Ten 
Commandments, and that he thinka them 
fit to be presented for confirmation. 
The Methodist Church admits candidates 
(Book, Part 1, chap. 2, sec. 2,) — when 
recommended by a class leader, (with 
whom they have been at least six months 
on trial,) and baptized, and examined — by 
the act of the Elder in charge of the Cir- 
cuit The Presbyterian Church admits 
candidates by vote of its ^Church Ses- 
sion," composed of the Pastor and Ruling 
Elders. In all these cases, the member- 
ship themselves have no direct voice in 
the increase of their number. 

Test it also in regard to the method of 
dealing with offences. If a member of a 
Congregational Church — ^be he officer or 
private member — ^is suspected or known 
to be guilty of practices contrary to the 
Gospel, the directions of our Saviour, in 
the 18th of Matthew, are literally followed. 



He is *' labored with" ; first alone, then, 
if needful, in the presence of two or three 
witnesses ; if he remain incorrigible, the 
matter is told to the Church, who labor 
with him, and if they cannot '* gain their 
brother," they suspend him from all privi- 
leges of communicm, to give time for re- 
flection and repentance, and, if he prove 
incorrigible, they cut him off by a vote of 
the membership, that he may be to them 
^ as a heathen man and a publican." If 
he feels that he has been misunderstood, 
or hardly used by them, he asks them to 
call, with him, a Council of sister churches 
to review the matter, and give its ad- 
vice. If they decline to unite with him 
for that purpose, he can call such a Coun- 
cil, by himself, which Council examining 
the case, would advise the Church either 
to adhere to, or suitably to modify their 
former decision. And then the Church 
follow that advice or not, as they think 
would most please Christ That is the 
beginning, middle and end of our disci- 
pline — in our judgment, just what the 
New Testament, interpreted by common 
sense, ordains. 

In all other churches, on the contrary, 
we find that the trial of offences is re- 
moved from the people into the hands of 
the hierarchy; and, if a disagreement oc- 
curs, the case passes on and up, until in 
the course, perhaps of years, it reaches 
final decision at the hands of the highest 
authority — Pope, Patriarch, King, Gen- 
eral Convention, Assembly, or Conference, 
as the case may be. The Methodist Epis- 
copal method comes nearest to our own, 
for it ordains that discipline shall be con- 
ducted by the local preacher before the lo- 
cal Society, or a select number of them, 
at his pleasure ; if found guilty by vote of a 
majority of that select number, the offend- 
er to be expelled by the preacher having 
charge of the circuit, appeal being allowed 
— ^both to the offender and the preacher — 
to the next Quarterly Conference. (Book 
of Dis., Part 1, chap, x., sec. 4.) It is 
clear that, in this matter, Congregational- 
ism and all other systems are wide asun- 



28 CongregationaUsm — its Features mid Superiorities. [Jan. 



der. We give all power into the hands 
of the laity ; holdirig all Church officers 
as their servants — ^in teaching and guid- 
ing — they, in a greater or less degree'", 
according to their varying methods, take 
all power away from the laity — holding 
their Church officers as masters over 
them. 

Consider, once more, the most impor- 
tant matter of doctrine. Each local Con- 
gregational Church, by vote of its mem- 
bership, (usually with conferenee with 
other churches in Council,) settles its own 
articles of faith, under a deep sense of its 
accountability to God, and the Bible, 
and Christ Each member shares that 
responsibility. All these other churches 
are bound by formulas imposed upon 
them from without, and are compelled to 
go to their Prayer Book, or Book of Dis- 
cipline, as well as to the Bible, to settle 
what is Orthodox, and right for them to 
hold as their Christian faith. 

(3.) Let us glance, in passing, at our 
third distinctive feature ; the belief that 
Christ ordained but two grades of Church 
officers, and they to be servants, and not 
masters of the Church. Each Congrega- 
tional Church elects its Pastor, Deacons, 
and Committees of various sorts, which it 
may need, by majority vote — always en- 
deavoring, so far as possible, to make that 
majority include the whole Church. It 
has the power to remove them when it 
pleases. It holds them continually ac- 
countable to itself for their proper per- 
formance of such functions as Christ has 
assigned to them. They are accountable 
to nobody else, but Christ However 
Councils invited for the purpose, or min- 
isterial Associations, may interpose advice, 
it is only advice, and all final decision 
rests, with its sole responsibility, upon the 
individual members of each local Church. 
Each Pastor may devise, expound and 
urge as many plans for doing good, or get- 
ting good, as he may desire — it is left with 
the membership to say whether they shall 
be adopted ; if adopted, to carry them out 
All ia simple, Scriptural, inexpensive. 



modest, practical, — effective in calling oat 
the working power of the Church. 

On the other hand, the hierarchal 
churches array before us their Popes and 
Cardinals, their Archbishops, Bishops, 
Archdeacons, Deacons, Priests, Elders, 
and we know not how many others — 
wheels within wheels, more or less intri- 
cate, all rolling over the neck of the laity — 
* lording it over God's heritage,* rather 
than being simple * ensamples ' and * shep- 
herds * to the flock. 

But enough has been said in exposition 
of the distinctive features of the system 
under discussion. We pass to the proof of 
the proposition : 

2. That this Congregational system^ in 
what it w, and what it is ^fitted to dOy is 
essentially superior to any other form of 
Church Government. 

We say in what it is, and is fitted to he. 
We speak of its natural tendencies and 
legitimate influences, when it has an op- 
portunity to do its perfect work. It may 
never yet have done itself full justice, and 
other forms of Church Government may 
sometimes seem to have had preeminence 
over it in usefulness. But the question is, 
taking the ages through, what system is 
best adapted to the nature of man ; to train 
and develope him heavenwards, as he is, 
in general, and under all circumstances ? 
We urge, in this view, on behalf of Con- 
gregationalism, the claim to special preem- 
inence. 

(1.) It is more practicable in its work- 
ing, than any other system. Wherever 
any company of persons may be, who are 
faithful believers in the Grospel, and who 
desire to serve Christ in aud through a 
Church organization, they may do so in a 
Congregational form, without any per- 
plexity or delay. They do not need to 
geographize and journey to discover some 
well authenticated aqueduct, bringing the 
stream of Ecclesiastical life down from the 
hoary past, to which they must attach 
themselves or else be dry ; they may dig 
down anywhere in the sand, with the cer- 
tainty of finding living water. Suppose 



1859.] C(mgreg(dioifiaiism — its Features and Superiorities. 29 



they are away in Weatem wilds; hun- 
dreds of miles from any Church, of any 
name ; with communication almost inter- 
dicted by the distance and peril of the 
way. If they are to become Papal, Pa- 
triarchal, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Metho- 
dist, or Presbyterian in their spirit and 
form of Church organization, they must 
wait and work until they can put them- 
selves into communication with the rest of 
the world, so as to get hold of the arm of 
the particular hierarchy which they pre- 
fer, and procure its extension to their re- 
mote locality, with all conditions and 
ceremonies, for such cases made and pro- 
Tided. All this involves delay, trouble, 
expense; often disappointment and dis- 
persion. Moreover, in its very nature, 
this necessity of going so far for, and 
making so much of, mere forms, must 
tend to magnify forms unduly, and turn 
their thoughts away from the simplicity of 
Christ 

But if they wish to become a Congre- 
gational Church, they can become such, 
there by tnemselves, in a single hour — 
by solemn vote affiliating for that pur- 
pose, and adopting our simple creed— just 
as Bradford, and Brewster, and Morton, 
and Jessop, and Jackson, and Rochester, 
and their associates, hunted by the hounds 
of the Establishment, took refuge in 
Scrooby, in the North of England, and 
there, in the very manor-house of the 
Archbishop of York, in 1606, formed — 
without any external help — that Church 
which, going first to Holland, colonized 
afterward on the rock of Plymouth. Such 
a Church— on our principles — is just as 
perfect in its order, as it could be if all the 
other churches in the world had helped to 
make it It is just as near to Christ He 
is just as truly its Head, and it is just as 
truly the channel of his power and grace, 
as the grandest Metropolitan Church can 
be. And there, in its outward feebleness, 
in that solitude, its voice is just as impera- 
tive as that of the oldest and numerically 
strongest body of congenial faith on earth ; 
because Christ says, that * where two or 



three are,' there he will be, and because 
the comforting and controlling Spirit can 
dwell in a little Church just as well as in 
a large one. 

If Providence so order, it can elect one 
of its own more gified members to be its 
Pastor, as it will others to be its Deacons ; 
and there it stands — home-made and yet 
well made — as true a Church, with as 
genuine a ministry, as the Great Head 
anywhere surveys. There it can go on 
from strength to strength, burdened with 
no extraneous connections or responsi- 
bilities ; going to the Bible with humble 
prayer, and not to General Conference, 
Convention, or Assembly, to find out what 
shall be its creed ; who shall break to it 
the bread of life ; what shall be the order 
of its worship in God*s house ; what the 
disposal of its differences, should any un- 
happily arise. For a system to fit the 
world and all time, we claim that this 
universal practicability of Congregation- 
alism gives it -practical preeminence over 
other systems, especially when we re- 
member that a great part of the work of 
the Church is to be missionary work — 
here and there, in distant and solitary 
places. 

(2.) We may hint, in passing, as a second 
inherent superiority of Congregationalism, 
its kindly aspect toward, and especial 
affiliation for, a Republican form of civil 
Grovemment We believe such a form of 
government is the best ; and, with the 
gradual advance of general intelligence, 
will be seen to be the best, for all men. 
But whether this be so or not, it is our 
form of Government, and our national 
prosperity and happiness are so bound up 
with it, as to make it of no small conse- 
quence that our prevalent religious faith 
should work kindly with it, and promote 
it Now Congregationalism was, histori- 
cally, the mother of our civil liberties. It 
was so first at Plyipouth, and in the Mas- 
sachusetts Colony.i It was so, later, in 

1 Bancroft says, speaking of the compact executed 
Not. 11, 1620, " Thii iDStrument was aigned by the 
whole body of men, forty-one in numberi who, with 



30 C<mgregationaikm — Ua Features and Superioriiies. . [Jan. 



the days of the Bevoludon.^ And it 
would seem a natural inference that the 
same polity which gave us a Republic 
would be most favorable, in all its workings, 
for the permanent welfare of the State. 

And if we look into the structure of the 
Bystem, we shall see that being itself a 

their ftmiUcfl, constituted the one hundred and one, 
the whole colony, * the proper democracy/ that ar- 
rived in New England. Thii was the birth of pop- 
ular constitutional liberty. * * In tha cabin of 
the Mayflower humanity renewed its rights, and in- 
stituted goTemment on the basis of ' e<iual laws ' for 
< the general gOTemment.'— Hist. U. S., Vol. 1, p. 810. 

So he adds, ** For more than eighteen years, 
* Uie whole body of the male intiabitants ' constituted 
tint legislature; the State was goTemed like our 
towns "—he might hare added, * like the churches 
whose principles, expounded by John Robinson, had 
led to the adoption of this method of cItU gorern- 
ment '— " as a strict democracy."— Hist. U. 8., ToL 
l,p. 822. 

The historical truth on this subject has been Tery 
happUy stated by a late able writer, who says, ** There 
is a connection between the Church Polity of the 
Pilgrim Fathers and the oiril polity which they 
adopted, and also between their civil polity and that 
which the nation subsequentiy accepted, which has 
not been suffldentiy traced and pondered. The 
purely democratic form of Qovemment in the Church 
at Leyden, already entrenched in the warm affections 
of the Pilgrims, led to the adoption of a correspond- 
ing form of cItU goTemment on board the Mayflower 
Ibr the Colony at Plymouth. It has been said, and 
it is true, that it was a Congregational Church meet- 
ing that first suggested the Idea of a New England 
town-meeting! and a New England town-meeting 
embodies all the germinal principles of our State and 
national government." — Wellman's Church Polity 
tf the Pilgrims, pp. 68, 68. 

It was the opinion of Mr. Pitt, that if the Church 
of England had been eflloientiy astablislied In the 
North American Colonies, they would never have 
reftised aUegianoe to the British crown.— Park*s Ad- 
dress before Am. Gong. Un., Jan. 1864, p. 18. 

1 Jefferson is said to liave lived near a Church 
(Baptist,) Congregationally governed, in Virginia, 
and to have remarked concerning its form of govern- 
ment, that * it was the only form of pure democracy 
then existing, and in his opinion, it would be the 
best plan of Government for the Colonies.'— Encyo. 
Belig. Enowl., art. " Congregationalism." 

John Wise*s fkmous ** Vindication of the Govern - 
mentof the Churches of New Rigland," was twioe 
re-printed a short time before the Bevolutionary 
war, and its list of subscrilwrs shows ttiat it reached, 
or vras called for, by a large number of men then 
prominent in dvil lift. This contains (pp. 22-48, Ed. 
of 1772,) a thorough discussion of forms of govern- 
ment, and an earnest plea for a democracy in the 
State, in connection with its consideration of demoo- 
ney in the Ohnzeh. 



democracy, and training all its members 
to individual responsibility and labor — 
under the purest and highest preMure of 
motive — ^its natural tendencies and in- 
fluence will be as much better than those 
of others for the Republic, in this respect, 
as the training of a merchant ship is better 
than that of a cotton-mill, to make men ser- 
viceable sailors on board of a man-of-war. 
(3.) Entirely kindred to this, may be 
urged the consideration that Congrega- 
tionalism has superiority over other 8y»- 
tems of Church government in doing more 
to promote general intelligence in the 
community. Its first principles throw it 
upon the sympathy and respect of the 
masses, and claim for it their love and sup- 
port; and in gaining their love and sup- 
port it works them into its service ; and 
its service is a service of thought, and 
responsibility. The Church, Congrega- 
tionally administered, calls upon every one 
of its members, even the humblest, to take 
a part with every other, in deciding its 
great questions of faith and duty. It ac- 
customs, therefore, all its members to 
think, and compare, and choose, and act, 
under the most inspiring and impressive 
sanctions. The humblest member of a 
Congregational Church may, at any time, 
be called upon to discuss — and perhaps, 
by his individual vote, to settle — a ques- 
tion, in its temporal and eternal reachings 
and interests, infinitely graver than any 
on which our Senators and Representa- 
tives vote at Washington. No member 
can be received, none dismissed, none dis- 
ciplined, without the question being put 
to each of the fraternity : *• Is this right — 
will it please the Great Head?* Thus 
the habit of acting under responsibility, 
and with intelligence, is nurtured in the 
community, and the general mind is quick- 
ened, and independent thought and action 
promoted. £ach man is treated as if he 
were a many full grown, and as if Christ 
had a work for him to do ; and as if all 
his choices and labors were of everlasting 
account, and ho must, therefore, subsidize 
his whole mind to the service. That in- 



1859.] C(mgreg(dwnaXi»m — «te Features and Superiorities. 81 



tellectual labor which is done for the memr 
bership of the hierarchal churches by 
their constituted officials, in the way of 
settling great principles of doctrine and 
great questions of policy, Congregational- 
ism compels her membership to do for 
themselves ; and so, since the j have thus 
to perform the work of Kings and Bishops 
and Priests, she makes them to become 
** a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a pecu- 
liar people, that they [individually] should 
diew forth the praises of him who hath 
called them out of nature's darkness into 
his marvellous light," — ^which is just what 
Peter said Christians ought to be. 

(4.) In sympathy with this, we may 
mention as a fourth advantage of Congre- 
gationalism, that it developes, as no other 
system is calculated, naturally, to do, the 
sense of individual responsibility in pri- 
vate Christians. 

Christ left the command to his followers 
to disciple all nations, and preach the gos- 
pel to every creature. That command 
was addressed to those who loved him, as 
individuals. And the only reason which 
can be given why it has not been obeyed ; 
why the earth is not now the Lord's, and 
the fulness thereof; is that enough Chris- 
tians have not yet felt their individual re- 
iponsibUity to that command, and obeyed 
^9 ^ gi^g their prayers, their alms, and 
themselves, to missionary labor. No man 
will dare to say — since Christ has been 
eighteen centuries waiting to see of the 
travail of his soul, and help the work — 
that there has not yet been money enough, 
and knowledge enough, and everything 
enough in the world to have converted 
the whole of it long ago ; provided individ- 
ual Christians enough had left money- 
getting, and politics, and all sorts of secu- 
larities, and devoted themselves, with all 
their hearts, to this preaching the gospel 
to erery creature. The great demand of 
Christianity, it is confessed on all hands, 
now is, to arouse and deepen and quicken 
that feeling in every Christian heart, 
which sap ; ' Christ died for m€, and I 
most do something for him. That great 



command binds me. Lord, what wilt thou 
have 7n« to do?' 

But when we denre to awaken a sense 
of personal responsibility in our children, 
we make them* do responsible things. 
Give a child a sum of money, and require 
him to expend it according to his best 
judgment for the poor ; or let him make 
such purchases as he thinks wisejt for the 
family — and you begin, at once, to devel- 
ope the feeling of personal responsibility. 
He is * somebody,' and he is always more 
man-like thereafter. Trust him to go a 
journey, and carry a message of conse- 
quence, and no wealth of words, no abun- 
dance of books on journeying, will do half 
so much to tndn him, in that direction, as 
this trusting him to do it. This is common 
sense in everything to which it applies. 
And Congregationalism, by trusting eveiy- 
thing to her private members, trains them 
to a sense of individual responability, 
which must be unknown to the subjects 
of an Ecclesiastical hierarchy. Every 
member of a Congregational Church has 
as real a responsibility as any Cardinal 
who sat in the Council of Trent, for his 
vote says yea or nay to every doctrine 
which that Council had under discussion. 
Does the Church languish, our member- 
ship cannot turn to each other and say, 
* I wish our Bishops, or our General As- 
sembly, would see what is the matter, and 
tell us what is to be done.' Each one is 
compelled to sit down for himself to de- 
vise what is to be done, feeling that no 
mitre, nor surplice, nor convocation comes 
between him and blame, if things go 
wrong. Congregationalism places its 
members, in regard to all Ecclesiastical 
responsibility, precisely where they are in 
the matter of their personal salvation. 
To know what to do to be saved, they go 
to no Bishop, and to no Body, and to no 
book, but the Bible; and bringing the 
naked truth of revelation to bear upon 
their necessity, they get an answer to 
their question. So to know what to do in 
the Church — what is Orthodox, what is 
orderly — ^they go, as before, to no manual, 



32 CmgregationaUsm — Us Features and JSuperiarUies. [Jan. 



and to no man, but to the same Bible — and 
bringing, as before, its truth to bear upon 
their duty, they decide and do. All this 
is simple, self-consistent, successfuL 

(5.) Another advantage which Congre- 
gationalism has over all other systems, is 
that it throws its membership more imme- 
diately and directly than any other upon 
God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and 
the Bibl£, for the answer to all their ques- 
tions, and the supply of all their need. 

Nothing comes between the Congrega- 
tionalist and these original and celestial 
sources of light and love. No question of 
doctrine or practice can be put to him 
which he may not, and must not, naturally, 
take to them for answer. We, of course, 
would be far from intimating that good 
men of other systems do not ask God for 
wisdom, and open the Bible for light, but 
we do say that their systems not only do 
not so much favor this, but do not even 
permit them to do it alone. They have 
always a double question ; ' is this in ac- 
cordance with the Book of Discipline — 
with the established order of our Church ? ' 
as well as ;< is it right in the sight of God ? ' 

Now, to any man who remembers how 
strong is the tendency of poor human 
nature toward that which is material and 
visible, instead of that which is unseen 
and eternal, it will be clear that any sys" 
tern which propounds such double ques- 
tions, will be apt to get its best answers to 
its easiest inquiries, and that its tendency 
fnll be very strong to incline the mind to 
rest in the lower authority as prima facie 
in accordance with the higher. It takes 
more faith to get an answer from God 
than it does from a hierarchy, and there- 
fore, when hierarchies are accessible to 
answer questions, and assume the respon- 
sibility, faith grows dulL Congregation- 
alism has no ritual, no ceremonies, no 
book of discipline — nothing but the Bible 
in the hand, the Spirit in the heart, and 
Christ overhead. That is all. Its prayers, 
its songs, its sermons, all get their vitality 
from the Bible, as the seed out of which 
they grow ; from the Holy Spirit, as the 



influence that makes them grow; finom 
the Saviour, as the Good Master, under 
whose eye and to please whose heart, and 
promote whose cause, all is done. Its 
methods of operation, also, all throw it di- 
rectly upon the naked truth, with nothing 
between it and the souL If a Pastor is 
to be chosen or removed ; if a member is 
to be admitted or disciplined ; whatever is 
to be done aflecting — in any way — ^the 
interests of the Church or the general 
cause, — no Bishop settles it ; no oi^ganism 
takes it up and says how it shall be; 
putting themselves and their opinion 
between the Church and the truth — no 
Book of Discipline, or Chapter of Canons 
interposes the fossil judgment of the dead ; 
but each Church member is called upon 
(before God, and in the love of Christ, 
and out of the Bible, as interpreted to him 
by the Holy Ghost,) to say how it shall 
be. All this magnifies the truth and 
makes it honorable. It forms the habit of 
reliance upon the Bible in all things — ^the 
custom of submitting every concern of life 
to the same truth for decision. * It makes 
independent thinkers, who are apt to be 
the most eflicient laborers. It is agreed 
that the Bible theory of the most perfect 
Christian life Is of one united to Christ, 
< as the branch is to the vine ; ' living in 
him ; going directly to him with all per- 
plexities, and getting from him a resolution 
of all doubts. Now we maintain that our 
system falls in with this theory of life, and 
works directly toward its realization 
throughout the length and breadth of the 
Church, training its membership to do 
that very thing — to lean upon God, with- 
out any hierarchal inventions, which are 
interventions — putting nothing between 
the visible Church and its invisible Head, 
and distracting the mind with no side 
issues, confusing it with no jar and din 
of machinery. As in the old-fashioned 
saw-mills, where one shaf^ went directly 
fh)m the crank on the end of the water- 
wheel to the saw — so here, the motive 
power is geared directly to the work - that 
is to be done. There is the least possible 



1859.] Oimgregatimuidism — Us Features and SuperioritieB. 33 



fiictioB, and if anything is out of oi^er 
'^ere is bat one place to be visited to dis- 
cover what it is. Whereas these great, 
affiliated hierarchies are like huge cotton- 
mills, where thousands of looms and tens 
of thousands of spindles are belted together 
— ^there is story piled on story ; there is 
-cooftision and clatter, and enormous fric- 
tion, and, when something breaks, there 
are hundieds of places to be visited to see 
what it is that needs repair. We do not 
daim that every, or even any, Congrega- 
tional Church is, — few things are what 
they might .be— but we do claim that any 
and every one ought to be, and could 
natarally be, such a nursery of the high- 
est, purest, clearest, holiest, most blessed 
and beneficent communion with God, and 
walk with hiin, as the earth can see no- 
where else, and as heaven would look 
i^n with strange joy. 

(6.) Agsdn, we urge that Congregation- 
alism has advantage over all other systems, 
as being a more efficient barrier against 
heresy and false doctrine. 

We are aware that it is common to ob- 
ject to our Church order, especially, on 
this ground. It is not to be denied that, 
fifty years ago, quite a number of Congre- 
gational churches in this region, became 
Unitarian in belief. But we insist that 
whoever examines the subject, historically, 
with candid research, will find that those 
churches became tainted with heresy by 
first departing from fundamental Congre- 
gationaUsm^ in the admission of those who 
were not believers to their communion. 
A strict adherence to the cardinal prin- 
ciple, thus violated, would have done 
much toward saving that entire defection. 
The presence of great varieties of doc- 
trine in other churches, having the very 
best hierarchal safeguards against heresy, 
is proof that other systems are at least no 
better than our own, in this respect No 
man can even guess, to-day — with all the 
canonical severity which guards the Eng- 
lish Church from the invasion of opinions 
not iU' its creed — how many of its clergy 
are, on the one hand, rank RationalistB, 

5 



or, on the other, ranker Romanists. But 
all well informed persons will concede 
that the number of both classes cannot be 
small. Our superior safeguard agsunst 
heresy, is in ^e fact that we lodge the 
power of judging in the great mass of 
believers, who— with the Bible ever open 
before them, as their chief source of light 
— are much less liable to be tainted by 
error, than are the few educated, and pow- 
erful, whose position as chief members of a 
hierarchal system, lays open their minds to 
all manner of ambitious and time-serving 
motives, tending to swerve their judgment 
fix>m the simplicity of the Gospel. The 
-early times will testify that, so long as the 
Apostolic churches maintained the simple 
order which Christ left among them, the 
purity of the faith was maintained, and 
that purity of doctrine was afterward cor- 
rupted in exact proportion as the Church 
departed from that primitiye simplicity, 
and grew into the Papacy. 

And, in the nature of things, we find 
superior security in our system. If a 
Church member becomes a heretic, the 
others deal with him and cast him out If 
a Pastor becomes a heretic, the Church 
terminates his relation, and that very fact 
will warn other churches against him. 
Each Church being self-complete, there 
is very little danger of evil spreading from 
one to another. So far as other churches 
are concerned, it afiects them only as 
another is added to |he many bad exam- 
ples that already exist around — ^to stand 
for warning before them. Whereas, in 
an affiliated hierarchy, so many steps are 
to be taken, and so many trials had ; there 
is so much inter-dependence and so many 
chances for contagion to spread, that the 
case becomes as much more difficult to 
manage than it is among us, as scarlatina 
in a crowded school, is worse than in an 
isolated dwelHng. 

(7.) We claim that Congregationalism 
has an advantage over other systems, in 
the nature of its wifiuence upon its min- 
istry. 

It divorces them at once from all official 



34 CongregaM(maUBm — its Features and Superiorities. [Jan. 



pride. The distinguishing idea of their 
office is that thej are servants and not 
masters of the Church. Thej owe their 
pastorship to the will of Christ, but as ex- 
pressed by the vote of the membership of 
the Church ; they are liable, at any mo- 
ment, to owe their removal from it, to the 
same cause. They can have, from the 
nature of the case, little or no factitious 
influence. If they deserve to be honored 
and loved, they usually will be loved and 
honored. If not, their official position 
furnishes them no shield. They stand, 
and must stand, upon their actual merits. 
If they show themselves approved unto 
God, workmen that need not to be asha- 
med, rightly dividing the word of truth ; 
they will, ordinarily, be approved of man, 
and be esteemed very highly in love for 
their work's sake. But if not, they can 
take shelter behind no vote of Presbytery, 
nor act of Conference, nor Bbhop*s man- 
date. Moreover, they are freed from 
much temptation which inevitably, though 
oflen doubtless unconsciously, assails the 
ministers of the hierarchal churches. 
When once Pastor of a Congregational 
Church, such an one is essentially as high 
in office as he ever can be ; for each Con- 
gregational Church is on a par of essen- 
tial dignity with every other. There is 
no ascending grade of ecclesiastical pro- 
motion stretching before him up toward 
a Bishop's lawn, or an Archbishop's cro- 
sier, admonishing him not so much to 
' take heed to the ministry which he has 
received in the Lord, that he fulfil it,' as 
to take heed to that moderate, and con- 
servative, and conciliatory course towards 
those parties in whose hand it is to make 
great and to make small in the Church, 
which may be likely to result in the grati- 
fication of that ambition which the hierar- 
chal 8}^stems create. Many of the noblest 
and most truly memorable Divines whose 
ministrations have adorned the annals of 
Congregationalism, have been, through 
life, the pastors of some of the most in- 
considerable, numerically and socially, of 
her country Churches. 



. Congregationalism favors her Paston, 
also, by the independence of positioiL 
which she secures to thenL Albert Barnes 
could not preach the truth of Grod aa he 
understood it, and as his people rejoiced 
to hear it, without being intermeddled 
with by the Presbytery, on a charge <rf' 
heresy, and being driven out of the pul- 
pit, and silenced for weary months. Ask 
Episcopalian Rector cannot expound the 
thirty-nine Articles, though his conscience 
demand it, and his parish desire it never 
so much, essentially above or below the 
grade of Churchmanship of his Bishop, 
without risk of trial, and perhaps suspen- 
sion and deposition. In the Bode of Dis- 
cipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
(p. 57,) we read, '* remember I a Metho- 
dist Preacher is to mind every point, great 
and small, in the Methodist Discipline I " 
and, on the following page, his seven 
Bishops, in whose hand his ecclesiastical 
breath is ; who can send him to Siberia 
or Ethiopia, to exercise his ministry, as 
they please — say to him, as the condensa- 
tion and consummation of all their coun- 
sel in regard to his duties as a minister — 
" Above cUly if you labor with us in the 
Lord's vineyard, it is needful you should 
do that part of the work which we advise 
— at those times and places which we 
judge most for his glory I " This is " a 
yoke upon the neck of the disciples which 
neither our fathers nor wIb were able to 
bear." 

So, also, Congregationalism favors her 
ministry, above other forms of Church 
order, in the facilities which she afibrds 
them for usefulness. It is an old maxim 
that the less the harness chafes, the better 
the beast will draw; and our ministers 
are left to judge for themselves what field 
of labor will most befit their abilities. 
Each knows himself, and when a Church 
invites his service, he can tell, much bet- 
ter than any remote or stranger Bishop, 
or Presbytery, whether it is the place for 
him to work to the best advantage or not 
And when his decision is made, there is a 
freshness and affection about it which 



1859.] Cin^fregtdionalifm — its Features and Superiorities. 35 



peculiarly open the way for qaefalness. 
They have chosen him, and he has chosen 
them — both of free wilL He is their 
Pastor. They are his flock. They sup- 
port him. He serves them in Christ's 
name. Here is no outward interference 
to awaken jealousies, and confuse the 
mind. All is natural, and favors the 
fullest working of the Grospel. If he is 
fiuthful to them, and they to him, this 
affection, so largely facilitating usefulness, 
may grow stronger through many delight- 
ful years. He can say, as did the good 
Shunamite, **! dwell among mine own 
people ; " or as Ruth said to Naomi, " thy 
people shall be my people, and thy God 
my Qcd ; where thou diest will I die, and 
there will I be buried, the Lord do so to 
me and more also, if aught but death 
part thee and me." Friendships of years 
are fiirmed. They know him, and he 
learns to know them; and they trust 
each other, and do each other good all 
the days of their life. Such a life-union, 
which accords with the genius of our sys- 
tem, is like the marriage relation, which 
makes home — and that is heaven on earth ; 
as much better for the real interests of 
all than the best itinerant ministiy, as 
marriage is always better than concu- 
binage. Having long followed them, one 
by one, to the grave, he goes, at last, to 
lie down by their side. No sight is more 
touching than some of the grave-yards of 
New England, where — before its Congre- 
gationalism became polluted by the in- 
vasion of the itinerant element, from 
aoodier communion — ^under the shadow 
of the meeting-house, where all worshipped 
together, the bodies of Pastor and flock 
sleep sweetly, aide by side, waiting for 
the resurrection trump. 

Moreover, Congregationalism is fitted 
to stimulate its ministry, as no other sys- 
tem can naturally do, toward the highest 
intellectual and spiritual attainments, and 
the noblest and broadest influence. The 
very &cts, — that they are not honored be- 
cause of their oflice merely ; that they are 
free from Ecclesiastical temptations ; that 



they are left independent of all external 
advice or control, to be and do* for their 
people all which they can be and do, tend 
to stimulate them to the highest possible 
usefulness. They are thrown, by this 
very peculiarity of their position, directly 
upon God and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, 
for the supply of all their wants, of coun-^ 
sel and sympathy and strength ; and, liv- 
ing thus near to God, and accustomed to 
ask wisdom directly from Him, they get 
wiser and kindlier answers to their daily 
inquiries, than ever fell from Prelatical or 
Presbyterial lips. So, also, the inde- 
pendence of thought which prevails in the 
Church, and the general intelligence 
which is stimulated by it, compel the 
Pastor to wider research and deeper 
thought, and a higher level of general 
attainment, in order to retain his position 
as a servant of the Church, in teaching it, 
and guiding it, under Christ, in the green 
pastures and by the still waters of pros- 
perity and piety. 

(8.) Congregationalism has advantage 
over other systems, again, in the superior 
facilities which it aflbrds for carrying for- 
ward the great work of the Church on 
earth, and, particularly, in advancing that 
department of that work which demands 
the rebuke of organic sin. Christ came 
^ not to send peace but a sword ; " and 
his Church is commissioned to '* wrestle 
against principalities and powers, against 
the rulers of the darkness of this world, 
against spiritual wickedness in high places." 
Christians are not, indeed, to do anything 
merely for strife, but the kingdoms of 
this world cannot become the kingdom of 
Christ, unless his followers fight this good 
fight of &ith. They are to obey not 
merely the negative precept, ** be not 
conformed to this world," but the more 
positive injunction, '* overcome evil with 
good ! " Those great sins which men, 
tempted by Satan, have inwrought into 
the very structure of human society, must 
be dissected out, and the body politic re- 
lieved from their cancerous presence, 
before the word of the Lord " may have 



36 



CimgreffQiUtmaXBm — Us Features and Superiorities. [ Janl 



free course and be glorified." Christ's 
idea of the progress and final triamph of 
his Gospel on earth, evidently was, that 
the leaven of the Church in the first age 
should leaven, gradually, the lump of its 
generation, and this, the next ; and that 
so the power of reform from religious 
principle, should spread outward and on- 
ward, from its vital centre at Calvary, 
until it should have covered and conquered 
every inch of the globe, and every year 
of the future of the race. And this was 
to be accomplished, not by the effort or 
effect of the Church, as an oiganism, so 
much as by the labors and prayers of its 
individual members. So that the awaken- 
ing of the individuals of the Church to the 
most intelligent, prayerful, earnest and 
persevering labor for Christ, has been the 
great demand of Christianity, in every 
age. And that system of Church govern- 
ment which most favors such awakening 
and such labor, is best for men, and must 
best please and most honor Christ 

Now we claim that all the natural ten- 
dencies of the Congregational system 
look toward this result More than any 
other system, it arouses its members to 
intelligent and independent thought 
More than any other, it calls upon them 
to perceive and discharge their individual 
responsibility. More than any other, it 
tends to make every private member of 
the Church feel that Christ said unto him, 
as truly and as eamestiy as if it had been 
said in no other ear : '* Go ye into all the 
world, and preach the gospel to every 
creature." And, with regard to organic 
sins, where the Church must sanction 
them by treacherous silence, or oppose 
them by speech and action that may rouse 
a storm ; the peculiarities of Congregation- 
alism make it easier for its disciples to 
be faithful to the Master — and therefore 
make it more probable that they will be 
faithful — than any other system. The in- 
telligence of its membership and their 
training, has prepared them for indepen- 
dent and manful action. Each Church 
stands by itself, and there is no wide- 



branched organization, the fiaar of di^ 
turbing or rending which, acts as a seda- 
tive to conscience, and a dissuasive fixxm 
duty. 

It is ahnost a natural necessity, also, 
that such a system, stimulating, in the 
highest degree^ the activities of its con-' 
stituent masses, should exhibit a superior 
energy in carrying forward all depart- 
ments of the Redeemer's kingdom. His- 
tory only records what the philosophy of 
the case would have led us to prophesy, 
when she writes to the credit of the Con- 
gregational Churches the origin of modem 
benevolence. ^ Justin Edwards said, be- 
fore his decease : ' '* I could never have 
done what I did in the incipient move- 
ments of the American Tract Society, 
nor in the forming of the American Tem- 
perance Society, nor in the establishment 
of the American Sabbath Union, unles I 
had enjoyed the aid of a popular and un- 
fettered Church government, allowing me 
to combine the agencies of enterprising 
individuals, whenever and wherever I 
could find them — men accustomed to act 
for themselves — minute-men, ready for 
every good work, without waiting for the 
jarring and warring of Church Courts." 

(9.) Finally, we urge that Congrega- 
tionalism has preeminence over other 
Church Polities, in the fact that its obvi- 
ous advantages are organic and peculiar 
to itself, while what may seem to be its 
disadvantages, in contrast with differing 
systems, are merely incidental to the im- 
perfections with which it has been worked, 
and will be removed by a more faithfnl 
application of its principles. We have 
claimed, as its inherent advantages over 
other systems, its superior jN-acticability, 
simplicity and spirituality ; its remarkable 
development of general intelligence, and 
the sense of individual responsibility ; its 
safeguards against heresy ; its influence in 

1 The Amer. Board of Com. for For. UImIods; the 
Amer. Home Misa. See. ; the Amer. Tract 8oc. ; and 
the first moTements for Sailors, and in the caiue of 
Temperance, all are doe to Congregatlonalian. 

2 Park's Add. before Amer. Cong*l Un. 18U, p. i5. 



1859;] Cc 



j*j- »•- 



'y,> t'^'h'i 



FeatuareB and JSk^eriarities. 37 



ilB minirtry studioiiB, devout, inde- 
pezident, useful, permazient ; and its easier 
adaptatioQ to tlie works <^ pious benevo- 
lence, and of Christian rebuke of sin^ 
wliereyer found. vAil these advantages 
are structural, and not accidental ; grow- 
ing naturally out of the peculiarity of the 
system, and therefore to be found, except 
as exotic, in none of its oppositesb 

On the other hand, those featares in 
which other systems sometimes seem to 
ejEcel us, put us at a disadvantage, in the 
comparison, only because of our own un- 
fiuthfiilnessto the capalnlitiesof our system. 
Thus, it is an apparent advantage, which 
our Methodist brethren have over us, that 
— by means of their compact and powerful 
oiganixation, with its central tieasury— 
they can send a preacher to a place that 
cannot sustain him, and keep him there 
until he can develope strength enough to 
make a permanent Church upon the spot 
But when the sisterhood of Congrega- 
tional churches becomes fully awake to 
its missionary responsibilities, and ready 
to perform all its Church Extension 
dudes, its hand will be stretched out 
toward all sijch remote places, and church- 
es will be established there, more in sym- 
pathy with the genius loci than the des- 
potic Wesleyan system will permit Noth- 
ing needs to be added to our system, nor 
anything taken from it, to give it this new 
efficiency ; we only need to live better up 
to its fraternal capabilities. So, if we 
mistake not it will be found to be, in every 
other particular in vvhich. any other sys- 
tem may have us at a temporary disad- 
vantage. The superior 'order' of the 
stately hierarchies, so far as it is any better 
than our own, is only supplemental, and 
not antagonist to it, and will be superin- 
duced upon ours, as we grow in grace, and 
in the knowledge and practice of Godli- 
ness. 

It is curious, indeed, to see how the 
systems that oppose us are obliged, when 
in stress of difficulty, to forsake their first 
principles and appeal to ours. Thus, it 
ii a first principle with us, that the power 



lain the handset the pe<^le. Itisafirrt, 
principle in the English Church, on the 
contrary, that the power is in the hand of 
''the Church," meaning a hierarchal or- 
ganism, headed by the Queen, Archbish- 
op, Bishops, &c. But, let some Church- 
man be censured and degraded — as he 
thinks, unjustly — by the proper tribunal, 
and you will at once see him i^pealing 
to the people^ through the press, and plead- 
ing his cause with them, in the hope of 
so stirring up a popular commotion, as to 
convince his judges that their own safety 
requires the reversal of his sentence. And, 
if he succeeds well in hb efifort, you will 
see his judges pleading their cause before 
the same people in defence of what they 
have done, both parties thus committing a 
solecism to their first principles, coming 
over to our position, practically confessing 
that the power, after all, is with the peo- 
ple, and seeking to do indirectly by pub- 
lic sentiment, what we do directly by vote. 
Such, we claim to be, rudely outlined, 
some of the essential superiorities of the 
Congregational system. There may be 
many good things, and many better things, 
but there can be but one best thing, of its 
kind. Among the various forms of Church 
order, all are doubtless, in some aspects, 
good. Some may be, in many things, 
better than others. There can be but 
one that is, on the whole, best. If any 
one have this preeminence, it is by no 
means a matter of indifference, or of small 
moment, that t^ should "go everywhere 
preaching the word." There are obsta- 
cles enough for the best system to van- 
quish — particularly in the United States — 
to make it of great concern to remove 
those that are poorer out of the way, and 
to commit the work, at once, to the safest 
and strongest auspices. Irreligion and 
indifference abound. Population, unevan- 
gelized, continually pours in upon us, so 
that every day adds to the sum total of 
our impiety. Meanwhile, Christ waits to 
see of the travail of his soul that he may 
be satisfied. One can almost seem to bear 
him cr}', (with holy impatience,) as out of 



38 The Massachusetts General AssoeiaUan. [Jan. 

heaven he watches us, to those who so load Apostles, to that Papacy into which it 
themselves with cumbrous machines, which was afterward corrupted at Rome ; or that 
they have built for pomp or power, that thej Episcopacy into which Popery was trans- 
can carry next to no lading but the dead muted, to serve the passions and the will 
weight of the equipage — " away with all of Henry the Eighth ; or that Presbjte- 
such unscriptural folly. Return to the rianism which was conceived in the brain 
simplicity of the Gospel pattern. Sweep of Calvin ; or that Methodism which was 
down all barriers between the individual elaborated in the study of Wesley ; so we 
conscience and its Lord. Let the naked believe that he prefers that we should 
truth and the naked soul meet with no prefer it, and ' preach the Grospel to 
hierarchy between ; and * it shall be as the every creature ' by its aid. We hold, 
fire and the hammer ; ' it * shall break the therefore, that we cannot be, in the high- 
flinty rock in pieces.' * If ye love me, keep est sense, faithful to the Saviour — as we 
my commandments.' " surely cannot be intelligently grateful to 
We would have no man sectarian, in our Fathers, whom he honored as the 
its narrow and evil sense; but as we restorers of the original pattern of the 
believe that Christ prefers the system order of his house — unless we make every 
shaped by his own counsels, and his proper effort to Congregationalize the 
guiding influence on the minds of his land. 



»— •- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 
OF THE GENERAL ASSOCLA.TION OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

BY ITS 8ECRETART. 

In the spring of the year 1802, Brook- the doctrines of Christianity as they are 
field Association, a clerical body in the generally expressed in the Assembly's 
interior of Massachusetts, sent letters to Shorter Catechism, for the basis of union 
the other district Associations in the State, and fellowship." They agreed that the 
proposing the formation of a General As- objects should be the promotion of bro- 
sociation, and inviting correspondence therly intercourse and harmony, their 
and consultation upon the subject. '^ The mutual assistance, animation, and useful- 
disconnected state of the Associations ness, as ministers of Christ ; to obtain re- 
within the limits of this important section ligious information relative to the state of 
of New England, the littie acquaintance their churches and of the Christian Church 
which its minbters have with each other, in this country and throughout the world, 
and the hope that by drawing closer the and to cooperate with one another and 
bonds of union, the cause of truth might with similar institutions, in the most eligi- 
be promoted," says the first published de- ble manner for building up the cause of 
claration of this body, (Panoplist, 1807,) truth and holiness. They declared its de- 
** suggested the expediency of a General sign to be *' to cherish, strengthen and 
Association." In consequence of the pro- transmit " " the pure principles of Con- 
posal of Brookfield Association, delegates gregationalism," and wholly disclaimed 
from eight Associations met at Northamp- ** ecclesiastical power over the churches, 
ton, July 7, 1802, for consultation. "They or the opinions of individuals." Upon 
united in opinion," says the document that basis they recommended each Asso- 
above quoted, " that it was expedient ciation to appoint two delegates to a scs- 
that a General Association be formed, sion to be held at Northampton the suc- 
They agreed to admit as articles of faith ceeding year, formally to organize a Gen- 



1859.] 



The Idaaaachmetts General Assoeiaium. 



39 



eral Afsociation. The eight Associations 
thus acting, were : Berkshire, (now di- 
yided into Berkshire North and Berkshire 
South,) Mountain, (a body once lying 
principally in the south-west comer ot 
Hampshire county, but lapping over into 
Berkshire and Hampden, and now ex- 
tinct,) Hampshire South, (now divided 
into Hampden East and Hampden West,) 
Hampshire North, (now Hampshire, and 
then including the present Franklin,) 
Hampshire North-east, (now extinct,) 
Brookfield, (still existing at the venerable 
age of 101 years,) Westminster, (now the 
Unitarian Worcester West,) and Mendon, 
(still thrifty at the age of 107.) 

Five, only, of the District Associations 
were represented the next year, in the ses- 
sion held at Northampton, June 29, 1803, 
viz : Hampshire North, Berkshire, Moun- 
tain, Brookfield and Westminster. Of 
those present at the consultation of the 
preceding year, Mendon had voted 
against uniting in the plan ; Hampshire 
North-east was only dragging out a linger- 
iDg existence, having but four members in 
1804, and soon vanishing forever ; Hamp- 
shire South was absent, for reasons now 
unknown, and remaned unpresented un- 
til 1810. Who were the delegates from 
the Associations represented, it is now im- 
possible to tell, the records of the General 
Association having been burned in the 
fire which destroyed the house of the Sec- 
retary, in October, 1816 — an illustration 
of the need of such a periodical as this, 
and of such a Kpository as that of the 
Congregadonal Library Association. The 
delegates present proceeded to act, and 
organized the General Association of 
Massachusetts. On that occasion, the 
Rev. Thomas Holt,^ a delegate from 

1 In addition to epecifio references, these notes are 
eompiled from Sprague''s AnntUs^ the Am. Quarterly 
Register^ the College Triennials, and MS. papers of 
the writer. 

Thomas Holt was bom in Meriden, Ct., Not. 
1762 ; was graduated at Tale College in 1784 ; studied 
BtrinUy with Professor Wales, of Tale College, and 
Dr. Tmmlmll, of North HaTen, Ct. ; was ordained 
Pastor of the Church in Hardwick, Ms., June 26, 
1789S; was dismissal March 27, 1806 ; was instaUed 



Brookfield Association, preached the pub- 
lic lecture. 

The second session was held at Hard- 
wick, June 27, 1804, and embraced the 
same five Associations. Rev. Joseph Lee,' 
a delegate fix>m Westminster Association, 
was Moderator, and preached the public 
lecture ; the text was, " That they all 
may be one, as thou Father art in me, 
and I in thee, that they also may be one 
in us; that the world may know that 
thou hast sent me." — John xvii : 21 ; a 
text suggestive of the theme whose record 
is irretrievably lost The ofiice of Secre- 
tary was established, and Bev. Enoch 
Hale' was chosen, **to continue during 
the pleasure of the Greneral Association.*' 

It may seem strange that so few Asso- 
ciations should have joined in this enter- 

at Chebacco (Ipswich.) January 25, 1809 ; was dis- 
missed April 20, 1818 ; he afterwards resided on a 
fiurm at HardlHck, although for a large portion of his 
time — when he had not a special charge — he was 
employed as a missionary in Maine, New Hampshire, 
Rhode Island, and Connecticut. " He maintained a 
life of consistent piety, practised the duties he in- 
culcated on others, sustained by the doctrines he 
had preached, and to the last, manifested an un- 
shaken reliance on the merits of an atoning Bayiour." 
The last year of his life was spent with his fiunily in 
Hardwick. He died Feb. 21, 1886. 

2 JosiPH Lu was bom in Concord, Ms., in 1742, 
grad. H. C. 1765 ; was ordained the first pastor of 
the Church in Boyalston, Oct. 19, 1768 ; and died 
Feb. 16, 1819. " He continued an able and faithful 
minister more than fifty years. His life was a con- 
tinued exhibition of Christian character." Near the 
close of his life, he being infirm, a call was extended, 
in perfect accordance with Mr. Lee's wish, to Ebene- 
ser Perkins, to become colleague. The Council as- 
sembled the day preTious to that set for the ordina- 
tion. "On this very day, this Tenerable saint and 
beloTed pastor fell asleep in Jesus." 

8 Sxoofl Hau, the first Secretary of the Massachu- 
setts General Association, a brother of the Revolu- 
tionary martyr, Nathan Hale, was bom in Coventry, 
Ct., in 1754; was graduated at Tale College in 
1773 ; was ordained pastor of the Church in West- 
hampton, Ms., Sept. 29, 1779 ; and died Jan. 14, 1887. 
He held the office of Secretary of the General Asso- 
ciation from 1804 to 1824. Mr. Hale left three 
sons, via : Hon. Nathan Hale, who has so long given 
character to the Boston Daily Advertiser, Enoch Hale, 
M.D., and Richard. — ^Rev. Enoch Hale was son of 
Deacon Richard Hale, of Coventry, Ct., grandson of 
Sam'l Hale of Newbury, great-grandson of Rev. John 
Hale, the first minister of Beverly, and great-great- 
grandson of Dea. Robert Hale, of Charlestown.— Dr. 
B. Davis, ^N. B. Hist.-Gen. Register. 



40 



The Ma68achu9etts General Assodatum. 



[Jah. 



prifle. District Aasociatioxis had existed 
in Massachusetts in some form, for a hun- 
dred and seventy years, and under a 
formal and unbroken organization since 
1690, and the idea of a union of these 
scattered bodies was natural. Besides, 
the neighboring state of Connecticut had 
had such an organization as the one pro- 
posed, since 1 709. And yet at the second 
session, only five of the twenty-four Asso- 
ciations had entered into the project The 
able and influential Barnstable, Boston, 
Cambridge, Mendon, Plymouth, Salem, 
were absent; and only five, and they 
country bodies, were present 

Various causes contributed to this re- 
sult It was feared by many that such a 
body, if it attained a position comprehend- 
ing all the clergy of the State, would 
gradually assume power over the faith 
and order of the churches. It was thought 
by a few, who held strong doctrinal views, 
that, covering the broad shades of opinion 
then existing in the Commonwealth, it 
would lower the tone of Orthodoxy by com- 
promising varying views. It was looked 
upon by the party soon to be developed 
into Unitarian, as objectionable fi:x>m the 
very groundwork of its faith, the Assem- 
bly's Catechism; while a large portion 
viewed it either with entire indifierence, 
or else as unnecessary and useless. And 
the existence of the Greneral Convention 
of Congregational Ministers, which met 
annually, and which then had advanced 
into its second century, seemed, in some 
degree at least, to occupy the ground. 
On account of these various sources of 
opposition, the General Association had a 
limited origin, and a slow growth. Grad- 
ually, however, all the advantages and 
disadvantages were lost in one fact, viz : 
that the Association, with the Catechism 
as its basis, served as a bond to the de- 
fenders of that faith ; while its opposition 
was found in that section which soon 
openly avowed itself Unitarian ; both 
parties evidently saw distinctly that a 
movement basing itself on the old Cal- 
vinistic theolog}', would speedily separate 



friends and foes, as the event proved. 
It was on this account t^t the oi^gani- 
zadon was reprobated by the seaboard 
clergy, and upheld by the Associations 
located in those rugged localities, which 
are never fiivorable to a loose and effemi- 
nate theology. 

The finends of the movement were not 
disheartened. To increase the size and 
efficiency of the body. Dr. Lyman, ^ of 
Hatfield, endeavored to enlist the aid of 
the *' Convention of Congregational Min- 
isters " in favor of the project Hie mat- 
ter was brought before that body May 80, 
1804, in the form of a question, ** whether 
th^ would form themselves into a Gen- 
ersJ Association for the purpose of < pro- 
moting ministerial acquaintance and broth- 
erly love, and learn more perfectly the 
state of the churches and promote their 
prosperity." A vote was passed, referring 
the matter to the various District Associa- 
tions, and appointing a Cominittee to write 
to them on the subject This Committee, 
of which Rev. Dr. WiUard, * President ci 

1 JosKPH Ltmah, D. D., son of Jonathan and B«- 
thiah Lyman, was bom In Lebanon, Ct., April 14, 
1749 ; was gndnatod at Tale OoUege In 1767 ; was 
tutor there in 1770-71 ; was ordidned, March 4, 1772, 
pastor of the Church in Hatfield, Ms. ; reoeiTed the 
degree of D. D. ftom Williams College in 1801 ; and 
died March 27, 1828. Dr. Lyman was one of the 
earliest friends of the Hampshire Missionary Society, 
and in 1812 was chosen its President ; was, from the 
beginning, a member of the A. B. C. F. M., in 1819 
Its Vice President, and from 1828 to 1826 its Presi- 
dent. The General Association was fortunate in 
haTing its cause espoused by Dr. Lyman ; with a 
power of gOTeming and controlling other minds, see- 
ing at a glance the best thing to be done, self-rdlant 
but conciliatory, eomprehensi?e, Judidons, rapid In 
execution, he acquired and wielded a powerftil influ- 
ence among the clergy and churches of Massachusetts. 

2 JosKPH WiLLARD, D.D., was bom in Biddeford, 
Me., Dee. 29, (0. S.) 1788 ; was son of Her. Samuel 
and Abigail (Wright) Willard ; was born and reared 
in poverty, but, by aid of others and his own en- 
ergy, was enabled to enter Harrard College, where be 
was graduated 1766 ; was tutor for six year* ; was 
ordained Pastor of the 1st Church in Beverly, Ms., 
Not. 25, 1772, as eollea^e with Rev. Joseph Champ- 
ney ; D.D. at Harvard, 1785 ; L.L.D. at Yale, 1791 ; 
was elected President of Harvard College in 1781, and 
was instituted as such Dec. 19, of that year. He re- 
mained in this poaition until his death, Sept. 25, 1804. 
His oharaoter is too well known to need eulogy. — 
WlUard Ifsmolni. 



1859.] 



The Massaehuseits General AuodaUon. 



41 



Harrard College, was chairman, wrote as 
directed, Hie writer, however, dying be- 
fore the next session. 

There were then twenty-fbor Associa- 
tions in Massachusetts Proper, whose 
names and number of members were 
Uiese : — ^Barnstable, 7, Bay, 10, Berkshire, 
1 7, Boston, 16, Brookfield, 18, Cambridge, 
11, Dedham, 8, Eastham, 6, Essex Mid- 
die, 10, Hampshire Central, 14, Hamp- 
shire North, 12, Hampshire North East, 
4, Hampshire South, 12, Haverhill, 7, 
Marlboro', 10, Mendon, 12, Mountain, 
13, Plymouth, 17, Salem, 12, Unity, 7, 
Westford, 7, Westminster, 11, Wilmington, 
9, Worcester, 7; there was also one in 
Maine, viz., Woolwich, 6. 

Several of the Associations appear to 
have made no reply ; of those who did act, 
the letters of fifteen are preserved among 
the valuable collections of the Congrega- 
tional Library Association, and were to 
the following efiect :-*- 

Berkshire assented to the proposal, 
April 16, 1805, (Stephen West,^ Mode- 
rator.) Brookfield did the same Feb- 
ruary 12, 1805, (Ephraim Ward,^ Mod- 
erator.) HAifPSRiRE Central "appro- 
ved," (Enoch Hale being Scribe pro tern.) 
Hampshire North "cordially appro- 
ved,** (Jonathan Grant, Scribe.) Ha- 
YERHiLL voted favorably May 17, 1805, 
Stephen Peabody' writing the answer. 

1 SiOHiir Wk, D.D., WM born in Tolland, Ct., 
Not. 18, 1786 ; gndnated at Tale College, 1756 ; itnd- 
led theoJogj wilh Ber. Timothj Woodbrl<|ge, of Hat^ 
fltid ; WM Chaplain for more than riz jean at Hooiaek 
Fort ; aecepted, in Nor. 1768, a propoeal to succeed 
Jonathan Bdwarde, in the Indian Minion at Stock- 
bfldSB, and waa ordained there June 16, 1769. In a 
frv years be gate up the Indian portion of hia 
ehaiie, and eonflned himaelf to the increasing body 
of English. Be was dismissed Aug. 27, 1818, after 
having had a ooDeague for nearly eight years. He 
rseefved the degree of D.D., from Dartmouth College, 
fai 1798, and was one of the original Trustees of Wil- 
liamaCoUege. He died Hay 16, 1819. 6Mpenons 
united with the Church during his pastorate. 

S SpubLDf Wakd was bom in Newton, Ms., in 
1741 ; grad. H. C, 1768 ; was ordained Pastor of the 
Church in West Brookfield, Oct. 28, 1771, and died 
March 19, 1818. ** He was a plain, practical, eTangel- 
leal prsadier."— Ward's Newton. 

8 HaTerhill AModation then covered a few towns 



Mountain was unanimoiu in the same 
durection, (Theodore Hinsdale, Modera* 
tor.) Westford, meeting at Dracnt, 
(Paul Litchfield ^ being Moderator, and 
Freegrace Reynolds^ Scribe,) not only 
approved the plan, but also suggested the 
Assembly's Catechism as a proper platform* 
Several Associations were undecided. 
Plymouth, (Joseph Barker,* Scribe,) 
did not sufficientiy understand the object 
Salem, (May 15, 1805, Thomas Barnard,' 
Scribe,) declined to express an opinion, 
but appointed Dr. Cutler of Hamilton, a 
delegate, for the sake of information^ 
Barnstable, (John Simpkins,* Mode- 
rator,) was in favor of some plan to secure 
a " uniform method of ecclesiastical gov- 
ernment and discipline," but objected to 
any attempt "to compel assent to any 
creed or confession of faith of human de^ 
vising;" it joined the General Associa- 

in New Hampshire ; SnPBnr Piabodt was minister 
at Atldnson, N. H., where he was ordained Nor. 26, 
1772. He died May 28, 1819. 

4 Paul LitoBfiiu> was horn in Seitoate, Ms., 
March 12, 1762 ; grad. H. C, 1776 ; studied DiTinitj 
with Dr. West, of Stoekbridge ; was ordained Pastor 
of the Choreh in Oarlisie, Not. 7, 1781, and died Not. 
5,1827. 

6 fsuoftAOK Rxnrou>8 was bom at Somers, Ot;, 
Jan. 20, 1767; grad. Tale, 1787; studied DiTinitj 
with Dr. Baekos, of Somers ; was ordained Pastor of 
the Ohnroh at Wihnington, Oot. 28, 1706 ; was dia- 
miswd Jnne 9, 1880 ; was installed Pastor of the 
Church in LeTerett, Ms., Not. 1882; resigned in 
1889 ; returned to THlmington, and died there Dec. 
8, 1864.— General Association Minutes. 

6 JouPH Bakkbe was bom In Bradford Ot., Oct 
19, 1T61, being son of Joseph Barker; grad. Tale, 
1771; was ordained iu Middleboro', OTer the Isfe 
Church, Deo. 6, 1781 ; died July 26, 1816. Mr. Barker 
took a liTely interest in polities, and Ibr one term or 
more represented his District In the U. 8. House of 
BepresentatiTes.— Dr. Putnam's Hist. Sermons. 

7 Thomab Baenabd, D.D., was first Pastor of the 
North Church, Salem, where he was ordained Jan. . 
18, 1788. He was a natlTe of Newbury, bom Veb. 6, ^ 
1748 ; was graduated at HarTard 1766 ; reedTed the 
degree of D.D., from Edinburgh, in 1794. He died 

of apoplexy, Oct. 1, 1814. 

8 JoHV Sdcpuxb was a natlTe of Boston, Ms., bora 
in 1768 ; grad. HarTard, 1786 ; ordained at Brewster, 
Ms., Oct. 19, 1791, and condnued Pastor until 1881, 
when he was dismissed ; he afterwards returned to 
Boston. Mr. Simpkins ncTer took a decided position 
in the separation between the Orthodox and Unita* 
rians, but towards the last of his life, at least, leaned 
toward the latter. 



42 



The Mauachuaetts General Assceiatian. 



[Jan. 



ticm, howeTer, in 1821. Unitt, meeting 
Harvard, (Phinehas Whitney,' Moder- 
ator,) was undecided, though leaning to 
the opposition, but intimated that some 
modifications of tiie plan might prove ac- 
ceptable. 

On the other hand, four Associations 
were decidedly opposed. Essex Middle 
objected, (May 14, 1805, Joseph Dana,* 
Moderator,) on the not unreasonable 
ground that the churches ought to be re- 
cognized and consulted in a matter con- 
cerning reli^on. Marlboro', (Peter 
Whitney,* of Northboro*, Moderator,) 
thought that such a body was uncalled 
fbr, assigning as particular reasons for 

1 PHnriHAi Wmnrxr ma bom in WmIod, Ms., 
April 24, 1740 ; gnd. H. 0., 1759 ; wujordBlned OTer 
the 1st Chureh in Shirley, Ms., June 28, 1702, and 
dkd Deo. 18, 1819. Mr. Whitn^ was three tlsMS 
married : (1) to Miriam WUIard, (2) to I^dia Bowes, 
(8) widow Jane Garfield. He had ten children ; his 
second son, Ber. Nicholas B. Whitnej, bom March 
21, 1772 ; grad. H. 0., 1788; was minister at Hlng- 
ham, and died in 1886.— N. X. Hist.-Gen. R«f • 

8 JouPB Daha, D.D., son of Joseph and Mazy 
Dana, was bom in Pomftet,Ot., Not. 2, 1742 ; grad. 
Tale, 1780; stndied theology with Ber. Mr. (after- 
wards Dr.) Hart, of Preston, Ct. ; was ordained orer 
the South Ghnrch in Ipswich, Ms., Not. 7, 1766. 
He reoeiTed the degree of D.D. fkom Harrard College, 
in 1801. He died Nor. 16, 1827. The Tenerable 
B«T. Dr. Dana, of Newbnrypwt, is a son. 

A Psm WmnraT, son of Ber. Aaron Whitney, of 
PMerSham, was bora In Petersham, Sept. 6, 1744 ; 
grad. H. C, 1782 ; was ordained orer the 1st Ohnrefa 
in Northb<Mro', Nov. 4, 1767 ; he tbU dead, as he was 
crossing the thvediold of his hoose, Feb. 29, 1816. 
He was the author of a valuable History of Woroes- 
tsrOooaty. He married, March 11, 1768, Jnlla Lam- 
bert, of Beadhig, and had eleven children. His sec- 
ond son, Peter, bora la Northboro*, Jan. 19, 1770, 
grad. H. C, 1791 ; was ordained over the 1st Ohnrch, 
Qnfaicy, Feb. 6, 1800, and died March 8, 1848. Two 
of Peter's sons became clergymen, vis : George, and 
Frederick Angostos. George was bora at Qoiney, 
Jnly 2, 1804 ; grad. H. 0., 1824 ; was theologicaUy 
edueated at Cambridge Divinity School ; was ordained 
Pastor of the 2d Cbnieh In Boxboiy, (now Bev. Mr. 
Wilson's,- in West Boxbnry,) June 15, 1881, and in- 
stalled associate Pastor with Bev. Dr. Thomas Gray, 
at Jamaica Plain, Feb. 10, 1886. He married, Dec. 
16, 1826, Ann Ckeenongh, only daughter of Bev. Dr. 
Ozmy,and died April 2, 1842; his widow, a highly 
respected lady, still lives at Jamaica Plain ; Freder- 
lek Augustus was bora in Quincy, Sept. 18, 1812 ; 
grad. H. C, 1882; theologically educated at Gam- 
bridge; was ordained Pastor of Uie 1st Church, 
Brighton, Feb. 21, 1844.— N. B. Hlst-Gea. BegMv. 



declining, (1) that the ** OonventioKi u 
sufficient " to secure all the good resnlts 
contemplated, (2) that there might be 
excited an unnecessaiy jealousy on the 
part of the people against the clergy , and 
(8) that if its object was to secure oni* 
formity of creed, that was totally impossi- 
ble. WoBCESTEB, (Joseph Sumner,^ 
Moderator,) dissented unanimously, al- 
leging (1) the impracticability of the plan, 
on account of the ** number," ^ distance," 
and ^ disagreement " of the clergy, (2) 
that it was ** dangerous to the peace and 
liberty of Congregational Churches," by 
reason of probable attempts to enferee 
uniform ^ discipline," (8) that it would 
** increase the jealousy of the people 
against the body of the clergy," and (4) 
that '*the useful purposes contemplated 
by the motion may be more efieotuaUy 
answered under the influence of the Cob- 
Tcntion of Ministers." Boston entered 
into a long and labored argument in oppo- 
sition to the plan, in a paper now existing 
in its records, as well as in the copy com- 
municated to the committee ; it was adopted 
May 5, 1805 ; after expressing its approral 
of the ** sentiments in which the proposal 
appears to have originated," — in (quoting 
from the letter addressed to them,) *^ that 
the Christian harmony and friendly co* 
operation of the ministers of the Gospel 
are concerns of high mutual benefit, and 
conduce generally to increase their useful- 
ness in the church of God," they proceed 
to express their disbelief in the efficacy a£ 
the plan to promote either such harmony 
or usefulness ; as to co-operation it con- 
aders the annual Convention as ** suffi- 
cient for mutual encouragement and as- 
sistance," the several Associations as high- 
ly conducive to the improvement, solace 
and incitement of individuals," and £o- 

4 JosiPH SuMiriB, DJ>., son of Samuel and SUm- 
beth (Oriffln) Sumner, was bom in Pomfret, Ot., Jan. 
19, 1740 ; was graduated at Tale College in 1769 ; 
D.D. at Harrard, 1814, and at Columbia ; ordained in 
Shrewsbury Ms., June 28, 1762, and died Dee. 9, 
1824. " During the period of sixty-two years," says 
ReT. Aaron Dancroft, in his ftineral sermon, ** he 
was nerer absent from the stated communion of his 
Church."- 



1869.] 



Ths Muaaehiuetti Qeneral AuoeiaUon. 



4S 



HeiiMtiftal Omncik, as a '* profitaUe and 
edifying communion " for ndnisten and 
chorchefl; and while it would favor any 
auitable plan to increase these advantages, 
yet considering "the state of religious 
opimoDS," say they, ^ and the ipkrit and 
dreumttaneei of ^ihe times, we are led to 
believe that no practicable plan of this 
nature can be formed, and we are appre- 
liensive that the proposed measure for pro- 
noting hannony will be more likely to 
interrupt it f — It thought that, by the dis- 
cussion oi doctrinal bases, there would re- 
mit "an erection of barriers between 
those who at present are not formally 
iepaiated, and the bonds of union woul^ 
be strengthened between those only who 
are already sufficiently cemented." It 
insists equally strongly that usefulness will 
be inqpaired, rather than assisted, particu- 
lariy by the tendency to uphold |" human 
standards of opinion," which might be so 
active in creating prejudice against dis- 
sentients, that there would be a '* spirit of 
uncharitableness and censoriousness pro- 
duced, and the teachers of religion placed 
under powerful temptations either to shun 
declaring the whole counsel of God, or to 
teach for doctrines the commandments of 
men." The whole paper, while conceived 
and expressed in a kind and courteous 
S|nrit, yet clearly shows that the main ob- 
stacle to a union, was their own departure 
from the doctrinal views of the earlier 
New England clergy, an obstiCcle of whose 
existence the Boston Association was 
evidently itself conscious. In addition to 
the above, it is also known that Cam- 
BRiDOB and MsNDOX Associations dis- 
lentedy the latter on grounds which pre- 
vented its union with the General Asso- 
ciation up to 1841. 

This effort through the Convention 
i^pears to have had litde effect, except 
to have excited feelings of estrangement 
Certainly, it neither caused the Conven- 
tion to become a General Associadon, nor 
brought in additicmal District Associationa 

We have seen that only five Associa- 
tions were represented in 1804. At the 



next session, held at Washington, June 
26th, 1805, the number was still less; 
only three — ^Berkshire, Mountain, and 
Hampshire North — appeared. Berkshire 
was represented by Bev. Messrs. Ephraim 
Judson,^ and Alvan Hyde;' Mountain 
by Theodore Hinsdale and William J. 
Ballantine ; ' Hampshire North by Rufiis 
Wells * and Enoch Hale. Of its proceed- 
ings neither records nor traditions exist 
Only the same three Associations were 
represented the next year, 1806, at Hat- 
field. At that meeting a change was 
made in the rules ; such that the Secre- 
tar3r8hip was for a three years' term, and 
that the Secretary and the minister of the 
place of meeting, be ex officio members, 
their respective Associations retaining 
their right to appoint the two delegates 
allowed to each. This rule and this 
method of representation, has continued 
to the present time unchanged. Rev. 

1 £PHRAZM JuDSOir, MD of Elukthaii and Beb«ooa 
Jadson, WM born in Woodbnxy, Ot., Dee. 6, 1787 ; 
gnd. Tale, 1768; studied theology with Rer. Dr. 
BeUamj ; wm ordained in Chelsea, (Norwich) Ot., 
Oct. 8, 1771 ; WM dismissed Dee. 15, 1778 ; was settled 
In Tannton, Ms., in 1780 ; reeigniiMi in 1789 ; was 
settled in Sheffield, in May, 1791, and died Ftob. 28, 
1818. ** He was an able, soond, and fkithftd preach- 
er. His labors were rery mach blessed. A number 
of young men studied DlTini^ with him.'' A por- 
trait of him, with a fall and interesting account, is 
in Emery 'i Taluable "Ministry of Taunton." Hil 
brother, Adoniram, was fkther to the missionary of 
that name. 

8 Altah Htdi, D.D., son of Joseph Hyde, was 
bom in Norwich, Ot., V^b. 2, 1798 ; grad. Dartmouth, 
1788; studied theology with Ber. Mr. (afterwards 
Dr.) Backus, at Somers ; was ordained at Lee, Ms., 
June 6, 1792 ; married, April 1798, Lucy, daughter 
of BenJ. Fessenden, of Sandwich ; D.D., Dartmouth, 
1812 ; died Dec. 4, 1888. During his ministiy, 704 
persons united with the Church in Lee. ** Dr. Hyde 
belonged to the old school of New England Theol- 
ogy.*' ** Without calling any man master, hebelieTed 
in the Westminster Catechism .** " A model of plain, 
direct, common sense px^eaching.'* *< Solemn, grave, 
and correct." 

8 WiLUAM G. BALLARTDri was bom in Westfleld, 
Ms., ; grad H. C, 1771 ; studied DiTinity with Bev. 
Dr. Parsons, of Amherst ; was ordained Pastor of the 
Church in Weshington, Bis., June 16, 1774, and died 
Not. 20, 1820. 

4BUFU1 Wills was bom in Deerfleld, Ms., in 
1764; settled at Whately, Sept 2K, 1771, and died 
Not. 8, 1884. "He was esteemed a nssAilmliilster.>* 



44 



The McMochusetts General Aseoeiatian. 



[Jan. 



Enoch Hale was re*appoint6d Seciretary, 
which office he held to the great satisfac- 
tion of the body, until in 1824 he declined 
a reelection. 

In 1807, June 24, the General Associar 
tion met at Windsor. Six Associations 
were present Berkshire sent Revs. Dr. 
V Stephen West and Ebenezer Fitch ;^ 
Mountain, Theodore Hinsdale and James 
Briggs ; ' Hampshire North, Josiah Spald- 
ing;' Hampshire Central, Rufns Wells 
and Joel Hayes ; * Worcester South, Sam- 
uel Austin;' Essex Middle, Samuel 

1 SBorium Fetch, D.D., was at this tim« Presi- 
dent of WlUiams College. Bom in Norwich, Gt., 
Sept. 26, 1766, helng son of Jabet and Lydia <Hont- 
ington) FIteh ; grad. Tale, 1777 ; ftom 1780 to 1788, 
Tutor in Tale Oolleg* ; engaged in buahiew In 1788, 
irith Henry Daggett, of New Haven, which proved 
nnsnooeirfhl ; Tutor again, and Librarian from 17% 
to 1791 ; iftade a public proftaiion of religion in May 
1787 ; in Oct. 1791, entered on tlie duties of Precep- 
tor of an Academy at WllUamstowni Ms., which in 
June 1798, became a Oollege, of which he was the 
first President ; resigned May 1815. June 17, 1796, 
he had been ** ordained to Um work of the ministry," 
** by the Berkshire Association." In the autumn if 
1815, he became Pastor of the Presbyterian Church 
in West Bloomfleld, N. T. ; resigned Not. 1827, and 
died March 21, 1888.— (See Sprague.) 

2 Jammb Bbxocw was bom in Newton, Ms., Jan. 18, 
1746; grad. Tale, 1776; ordained Pastor of the 
Chtuwh in Cummington, Ms., July 7, 1779, where he 
had been preaching for sereral years previous ; died 
I)eo. 7, 1825. He " was a very useful and respecta- 
ble minister." When he was settled, the town voted 
to give him 200 acres of good land and :£60 (estimated 
by rye at 8s. 4d. a bush««l,) for "settlement," and £60 
palary, to b« increased by X5 a year till it reached 
£00, estimated by rye, as above ; by beef at jM)d^ a j 
pound, and flax at 8d. a pound. 

8 JosuB SPALMNa was bora in Plainfleld, (3t, 
Jan. 10, 1761 ; grad. Tale, 1778 ; ordained at Uz- 
bridge, Sept 11, 1782 ; dismissed Oct. 28, 1787 ; was 
Installed in Washington, Aug. 1788 ; after dismiiUon 
he was installed in Buekland in 1791, where he died, 
May 8, 1828. ** He was a fidthftil preacher, and of 
evangelical sentiments. His name is cherished with 
much respect." 

4 Jou. HATX8 was bora in 1764 ; was settled in 
South Hadley, Ms., Oct. 28, 1782,; as colleague Pas- 
tor with Rev. John Woodbridge, and became sole 
Pastor the next year ; died July 1827. ** He was a 
man of hind feelings, and In the pulpit was remark- 
able for * great plainness of speech.' He was a firm 
believer in the doctrines of grace, and did not hesi- 
tate to preach them with boldness." 

5 Samuil Austik, D J)., one of the prime movers 
in the formation of the Qeneral Association, was of 
Woxvester ; he was born in New Haven, Ot., Oct. 7, 



Spring* and Isaac Braman ;' Enoch Hale, 
as Secretary, and Gordon Dorrance,* min- 
ister of the place, were also members. It 
will be seen that Essex Middle (now exist- 
ing as Essex North, 9 7 jearsold,) and Wtx^ 
cester South (now extinct,) were present 
for the first time. Rev. Dr. West was 
Moderator, and Bey. Samuel Austin, 
Scribe, the buaness of the Scribe being 
then, as now, to record the proceedings of 
the session and place them in the hands 
of the Secretary. The proceedings of 
that session were, in part, published in- the 
Fanoplist ; either in that form or in a 
separate pamphlet their publication has 
since been continued, and affords excel- 
lent data for recording its history, al- 
though xiot even the body itself has a oon>- 
plete set of its Minutes. In connection 
with this publication in the Fanoplist, was 

1760 ; was in his youth soldier in the army, as sub- 
stitute for his fkther ; commenced the study of law, 
but entered College, and grad. at Tale, 1788; oooi- 
menced his theological studies with Rev. Dr. Jooa- 
tlian Edwards ; was ordained in New Haven, (Fair- 
haven Society,) Nov. 9, 1786; resigned three years 
afterwards; was installed Sept. 29, 1790, over the 
let Church in Worcester ; DJ). at WiUlams, 1807 ; in 
July 1816, Preddmt of the University of Yermont, 
where he remained about six years ; he was pastor 
of a Church in Newport, R. I., for four years, but 
resigned it, and never again settled ; he died in the 
fkmily of his nepliew. Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, then 
of Glastonbury, Ct , Dec. 4, 1880. " His piety was 
habitual and ardent, deep and discriminating." 
" The topics on which he delighted most to dwall 
were the benevolence, the sovereignty, and the g^ory 
of Qod ; the great system of redemption ; the eliar- 
acter of Christ, and his sufferings, with their exten- 
sive result on tlie universe, and especially in the 
sanetifloation and salvation of his chosen people.'*— 
(See Sprague's Annals.) 

6 Samuil Spuna, DJ)., the venerated Pastor at 
Newburyport, so instrumental in the establislunent 
of Andover Theological Seminary. Bom at North- 
bridge, Feb. 27, 1746; grad. College New Jeraqr, 
1771 ; ord^ned Aug. 6, 1777 ; died March 4, 1819. 

7 IBAAO BRAiLiff still suTvivcs, the sole remaining 
member of that sesiion, and is still the pastor (now 
senior,) of the Church in Georgetown, Ms., where 1m 
was ordained June 7, 1797. He was bom in Norton, 
July 6, 1770 ; grad. H. C, 1794. 

S GoanoH Doe&aicoi was bom in Sterling, Gt.,; 
grad. Dartmouth, 1786 ; studied theolofor with Rev. 
Dr. Levi Hart, of N. Preston, (now Qriswold) Ct. ; 
ordained Pastor of the Church in Windsor, Ms., July 
1,1795; was dismissed July 15, 18S4; and di«l in 
Atttea, N. T., where be resided with his son. 



1859.] 



The MaatachiueUs General Anodatim. 



45 



iasued a statemeat of the plan and object 
of the organization, from which qnota- 
tions haye already been made. 

In consequence dther of the statement 
in the Fanoplist, or of the writing of the 
Secretary to yarioos Associations inviting 
their presence, we find that at the session 
in Worcester, on the last Wednesday in 
June, 1808, several new Associations were 
represented. In addition to Berkshire, 
lioantain, Hampshire Central, (the old 
Hampshire North onder a new title,) 
Worcester South, and Westminster, we 
find Hampshire North (a new body which 
took the name dropped by the old Hamp- 
shire North, and which is now Franklin,) 
and Hayerhill; several gentlemen were 
also present who were invited to sit as 
honoraiy members, viz: Beverends Jo- 
se}^ Pope ^ and Zephaniah S. Moore * of 
Brodcfield Association, Samuel Steams* 
and Joseph Chickering, of Andover As- 
sociation, and Samuel Worcester ^ of Sa- 
lem Ministerial Conference, a body in 

1 Joseph Pops wm bora in Brooklyn, Ct, in 1746 ; 
grad. H. 0. 1770 ; was settled in Spencer, Ms., Oct. 
90, 1778, and continiied *' a reepectable and nsefbl 
mlnlMar, vnfiU Nor. 1818, when he was wiaed with a 
paimlTiia, after which he torriTed more than Mten 
jMii asabte to perform anjr ofBldal dntief " He died 
Ifareh8,1826. 

S ZspSAinAH 8. Moout, D. D., alterwarda Profoa* 
•or of LaDgaagae in Dartmouth College, atill later 
Piwktoat of Williama Collage, and sobieqaently, 
Preiidamt of Amherst College, was at this time pastor 
of tha Chnoh in Leieester, wtiere ha was ordained 
JaiM 10, 1798. Bom in Palmer, Me., Nby. 20, 1770, 
died ivam 26, 1828. 

• Bamusl BnASiTi was Minister of Bedford. Son 
of Her. Jodah Stearns, of Bpping, N. H., be was 
born April 8, 1770 ; grad. H. C, 17M ; studied The- 
ologf vader tha eare of Bev. Jonathan Freneh, of 
ktuknn^mhtim daughter Abigail Iw married ;) was 
1 ordatoad in J gradtorjl , April 27, 1796, and continued 
the p alo r , with groat lUthftilnes and success, untfl 
Us death. Dee. 28, 1884. Rev. Dr. W. A. Stearns, 
Preridsiit (tf Amherst College, ii his son. 

4 Samitsl Wobojbibb, D.D., was then of Salem. 
f o wto a t in etiry good work,— Uie Goneral Assoela- 
tfton vara fortunate in obti^ning his support. Born 
la HoUis, N. H., Not. 1, 1770; grad. Dartmouth, 1795 ; 
WIS ordained at fltehburg, Ms., Sept. 27, 1797 ; was 
iHtmisisd Sept. 8, 1802 ; was installed pastor of the 
Sibeniaela ChnzcJi, Salem, April 20, 1808 ; and died 
y at Bndaaid. Tenn., June 7, 1821. Full and interest- 
ing detstls <rf this good and eminent man are pre- 
svTod in fha ttfo of Dr. Wocetstsr, bj his son. Bar. 



which the Orthordox portion ci the min- 
isters k£ that vicinity had the preponder^ 
ance, but which never joined the General 
Association, and which disbanded when 
the opposite majority in the Salem Asso- 
ciation was reversed by gradual acces- 
sions. Rev. Joseph Lee presided at thk 
session ; Rev. Alvan Hyde was Scribe, 
and Rev. Asahel Huntington* preached 
the public lecture, from Acts, ii : 42 : 
**And they continued steadfast in the 
Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in 
breaking of bread and prayer." Steps 
were taken to form a connection with the 
General Association of Connecticut, by 
sending Drs. Lyman and Austin as dele- 
gates to that body. Several Associations 
from the eastern part of the State hav- 
ing now been induced to come in, the ses- 
sion of 1809 was held at Newburyport, 
June 28, at the house of Rev. Dr. Spring, 
to which, other eastern Associations sent 
delegates simply to obtain information; 
these were Salem, Salem Ministerial Con- 
ference, and Cambridge ; the latter two 
never united with this body ; the fonner 
one did at the next session. Dr. Lyman 
was moderator, Leonard Woods, Scribe, 
and Dr. Austin preached the sermon. At 
this session two delegates appeared from 
Connecticut and articles of correspond- 
ence agreed upon, which are still in force, 
with the exception of that proviso wUch 
gave the delegates the right of voting in 
the body to whicb they were sent Rules 
were also adopted regulating the annual 
meeting of the Association. And it is a 
fact worthy of note, that while slight mod- 
ifications have from time to time been 
made in the language or purport of the 
Rules, to put them in better working or^ 
der, no changes have thus far been made 
affecting the purposes, plans, or general 

Samuel M. Woreester, DJ>.; a woric which is one of 
the richest oontribntlons to our eeoleasistieal history. 
6 Abahil HunnifOTOir was bom in Franklin, Ct., 
Maioh 17, 1761 ; grad. Dart. 1786 ; ordafaied in Tops- 
fleld, Ms., Not. 12, 1788 ; died AprU 22, 181& '* A 
suoeessfbl and useful ministry." ** Discriminating 
and fkithful.** XUsha Huntington, M.D., of Lowell, 
and Asahel Huntington, Siq., of Salem, are sons. 



46 



The Ma89achusM9 General Auoeiation. 



[Jan. 



characteristics of this body ; for substance, 
the existing rules are but the deyelope* 
ment of the plans made half a century 
ago. The next year, 1819, the Associa- 
tion met at Bradford, June 27. Han^)- 
shire South (afterwards Hampden and 
Aow the two Hampdens,) and Salem, 
(now^ Essex South,) appear for the first 
time. This meeting was also noted for 
two matters of importance; one, the 
change from the original article which 
had read that the doctrines of the Cate- 
chism '^ be considered as the baas of the 
union of our churches," to phraseology 
which dropped allusion to the chtircheM 
and thus no longer appeared to represent 
or control what had no connection what- 
OTer with the General Association, which 
being exclusiyely a clerical body and rep- 
resenting exclusively clerical bodies, had 
nothing to do with the churches; this 
however, did not pass without a good deal 
of debate, although approved by the dis- 
trict Associations. The second important 
event at this session was one which al- 
though somewhat transcending the de- 
clared purposes of the General Associa- 
tion, was yet a blessed one for the world, 
the organization of the American Board 
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 

The record in relation to the latter 
matter reads thus: "Messrs. Adoniram 
Judson, Jr., Samuel Nott, Jr., Samuel 
J. Mills, and Samuel Newell, members 
of the Divinity College, [L e., Andover 
Theological Seminary,] were introduced 
and presented a paper with their names 
subscribed, on the subject of a mission to 
the heathen. Ailer hearing the young 
gentlemen, the business was committed to 
tiie Rev. Messrs. Spring, Worcester, and 
Hale ; who reported resolves for institut- 
ing a Board of Commissioners of Foreign 
Missions, to consist of nine members, all 
in the first instance to be chosen by the 
General Association, and afterwards an- 
nually, five of them by this body and four 
by the Greneral Association of Connecti- 
cut 

" The Report was unanimously accept- 



ed. The G^eral Association proceeded to 
institute a Board of CommissioiierB, and 
made choice of the following gentlemen as 
members :^ His Excellency, John Tread- 
well, Esq., Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight, 
Gen. Jedediah Huntington, and Rev. 
Calvin Chapin, of Connecticut ; Rev. Dr. 
Joseph Lyman, Rev. Dr. Samuel Spring, 
Wm. BarUett, Esq., Rev. Samuel Worces- 
ter, and Dea. Samuel H. Walley, of Mas- 
sachusetts. Measures were provided for 
calling the first meeting of the Board." 

So simple and unpretending is the 
record of the foundation of a Society 
which has done more to honor the Ameri- 
can name than any other instrumentality, 
and which is sdU more precious to Ameri- 
can Christians in that its hundreds of 
laborers are carrying the light of the Gos- 
pel of Christ to the darkened nations of 
the earth, in that it was the pioneer of 
American Missions, and in that it has not 
turned aade, for its life of near half a 
century, from the simple purpose of 
preaching the Grospel to a dying world. 

It is a matter of interest to know who 
were present at that session. They were 
Levi White ^ and Nathaniel Turner,' from 
Berkshire ; Benj. R. Woodbridge,* feosa 
Mountain ; John Emerson,* from Northern 

1 LiTX Whtti wm bom in Bandolph, Ml. ; wm 
gndiuted at Dartmouth, 1796; 8ta(Ued thedogj 
with Dr. Barton, of Thetford, Yt. ; wm ordained 
OTer the Ghansh in Sandiafield, Ms., Jane 28, 1796; 
WM iHirmiMti March 7, 1882, and ranoTod to Ifieh- 
igan. 

8 NATHAvm. TuRHBB WM bom in Norlblk, Ct., 
in 1771; gnd. Williama, 1798; itodied theology 
with Dr. Gatlin ; wm ordained OTer the Ghareh in 
New Marlboro, Ms., July 10, 1799, and died Mi^ 26, 
1812. 

8 BxNJ. R. WooDBixDQi WM bom in South Had- 
lej, 1774 ; giad. Dartmouth, 1796 ; wm ordained orer 
the Church in Norwich, Ms., Oct. 17, 1799 ; resigned 
June 28, 1881, and returned to Bouth Hadley, and 
died in 1844. 

4 JoHH Bkbuov, son of Ber. Joseph Smenon, 
WM bom in Maiden, Not. 20, 1745 ; grad. H. C, 
1764 ; WM ordained at Conway, Ms., Dec. 21, 1769. 
and died June 26, 1826. Mr. Bmerson remarked, in 
later years, that when he went to preach in Conway, 
" it WM literally * John preaching in the wilder- 
ne«;*" 680 persons were admitted to the Church 
during his pastorate, and 1,087 of his people were 
buied; he had composed 8,600 sermons, and bap- 



1869.] 



The Mu»adku$elf$ General 



47 



\ 



Hampehire; Rufbf Wellf and l^nsoii 
Goold,^ from Central Hampebire; John 
Keep,* finom Sontfaem Hampshire ; ThoB. 
Snell,* from Brookfield ; l^tiu T. Baiv 
ton,* and Joaepli Goffe/ firom Worcester 
Sootii; Hnmphref C. Perley * and Sam- 
nel Mead,^ fVom Haverhill; Ebenezer 



tiaid 1,119 aliOdzcn. " He wm « fUthftd And «f«a- 
filkal pflMfltbar," and devotedly pnyeiftiL 

1 Tmov GevUD me boim hi ShevoBt 01., in 
ini; gnd. WIUkiBe,1797; efeadSed tbeolefj wUh 
Dr. BMkne, of Soumxi ; vae Talor in WUliemi Ool- 
kfe Atom 1790 to 1801 ; ordained over the Ghoreh in 
flomhnmptoa, Mi^ Ang. 97, 1801 ; dlsmlMed Jen. 5, 
18B; HM liMtalled flat peetor of tbe Txtnlterien 
Gtanh In Benwrdeton, (n eeeeerion fkom tbe old 
GiinMb,) Oet 80, 1888} leeigned Dee. 21, 1886, end 
NBOfved to Bentliempton, end died in 1841. 

S Jom KivtMeminieMratBlendlbrd; born In 
TnigMiair-. Tff- . 1781; gied. Tele, 1802; itadM 
theolocj vith Ber. Aeehel Hooker, of Goeben, Ot.; 
mm ordained in 1806 ; be iree efterwerde aettled at 
r, v. T. ; me Babeeqoently efent of Am. Idn- 
'; tMe aeMled M peetor of a ProebTto- 
itan Cfaneb In Ctowlettd, Ohio, Mau 1, 1886. 

• TmfmAB Bnu, D. D., a natiTe of Chninmington, 
gied. Dnrtanoofb, 1796; me ordained at North 
June 27, 1798, wban be atlU remelM, ae 
He wee tbe aeeond Seo- 



ntei7 of tbe AwoolaHon, enoeeeding Bev. Xnoeh 
Hele in 1821, end aerrlng ftnrr«enty-flTe7eexB,when, 
In UBOi, be deeHned a re-^eetion, end reeeiTed the 
theBkeertbebodjIbrbie ftJihAUierTloei. He re- 
eitved Ibe degree ot D.D. ftom Amberrt Oollege in 

4 nm T. Basiov was bom In Granbj, Ms., In 
1791; gnd. Derteontb, 1790; ordained aa eoUeegoe 
Ibe Chnieh in T^ksbnxy, Ms., Get. 11, 1792; 
Mej 19, 1808 ; inetelled at Fitcbbnrg, 
i U, 1804 ; neigned Ibb. 28, 1818 ; remoTed to 
Oterlon Go., Tenn. ; pneebed oeeeslonnllj ; 
,lntliee«tainnofl827, with tbe design of 
settftaf tai JndcHm, HI., bnt died very suddenly, on 
tabjowii^, Oet 81, 1827, shortly efter orossing the 
OUofllfwr. 

ft (Tim IB 8om was bom in Bedfrrd, N. H., In 
1797 ; gnd. Onrtnonth, 1791 ; was ordained over the 
Obnnb in MUlbnry, Ms., Sept. 10, 1794, reeigned 
Dse. 8^ 1880; l e mo ie d to Boeton ft>r eome yeere, and 
ttaa ntaned to UiUboiy, and died in 1846. 

• HoiiraiR 0. 'BMMLTt wee bom in Bozlbrd, Ms., 
Dse. H, 1781 ; grad. Dartmonth, 1791 ; ordained OTer 
tbe lal Ghareb in Methnen, Dee. 2, 1796 ; neigned 
Hay 2ii 181ft; was Instolled over tbe 2d Chnreb tai 
leiiriJiSM.2,1818; resigned June 18, 1821; be 
died in 1888. 

V f^foaL MiAS was bom in Boehester, Ms., Dee. 
n^ IIW; gnd. Brofwn, 1788; studied theology with 
Imt. ^pbnin Jndaoa, of Cannton ; ordained over 
fteSd Obndi la Daavers, (now the Chnreb in Sonth 
Oanvan,) Jan. 8^ 1794; resigned Jan. 1808 ; was in- 
liillid owmt Ihn Sd Ohanb In Amaebury, June 6, 



Dutch* and Thomas BxAt, from Essex 
Middle; Manasseh Cntler* and Samuel 
Worcester from Salem; Salmon Cone 
and Evan Johns, from Connecticnt; 
Enoch Hale, as Secretary, and Jonathan 
AUen,^ minister of the Parish ; Rev. Sam- 
nel Spring, D.D., Dr. Pearson, " late Pro- 
fessor," and Rev. Messrs. Morrison and 
Dana, Presbyterians, were made honor- 
ary members. 

Of this number it is easy to perceive 
who were governing spirits. While the 
missionary purpose originated in other 
minds, the plan adopted by the General 
Association seems to have a clear parent- 
age. << On the 25th of June, 1810," says 
Dr. Worcester, *< serious deliberation, at- 
tended with fervent prayer, was held at 
Andover, relative to the burning desire of 
three or four theological students there, to 
be employed as missionaries to the hea- 
then. The result was, to refer the mo- 
mentous question to the Grenend Associa- 
tion of Massachusetts. The next day, 
Dr. Spring took a seat in my chaise, and 
rode with me to Bradford, where the Gen- 
eral Association was to convene. In the 
conversation on the way, the first idea, I 
believe, of the American Board of Com- 
missioners for Foreign Missions was sug- 
gested ; — the form, the number of memr 



1804, and died March 28, 1818, *<at Cambridge, 
where he was a patient, afflicted with insanity." 

8 Bbkhiub Duron was bom In Ipswich, Ms., In 
1751 ; grad. Brown, 1776 ; was ordained over tbe 2d 
Chnreb In Bradford, (now Dr. Perry's in Greireland,) 
Not. 17, 1779, and died Aug. 4, 1818. 

9 MARiUMXH CuTLim, L.L.D., was minister at Ham- 
ilton (then Ipewieh Hamlet.) Bom In Killingly, Ot., 
Bfey 28, 1742 ; grad Tale, 1766 ; was admitted to the 
bar, but by and by determined to study theology ; 
was ordained at Hamilton, Sept. 11, 1771 ; was Chap- 
lain in the Berolotionary army through two eam- 
paigns ; was ofEsred, by Wesbington, n eonunisslon 
BS Judge of the U. S. Court Ibr N. W. Territory, but 
declined ; was elected to Congrees in 18(X), and again 
in 1802 ; L.L.D., Tale, 1789 ; member of Aosd. of 
Arte and Seienoee, of the PbilompbSeal Society, Phil- 
adelphia, and of Tarioofl other literary sodetiee. He 
died July 28, 1828.— (See Sprague's Annals.) 

10 JoHATHAir Alum was bom in Bralntree, Ms., 
was graduated at Hanrard, 1774 ; etndied theology 
with Ber. Bphraim Jndson, of Tannton ; was or- 
dained oyer the 1st Church in Bradibrd, June 8, 
1781; died March 6, 1827. 



48 



The Massachusdts General Aseoeiaium. 



[Jan. 



bere, and the name, were proposed. On 
the 27th, the question came before the 
Association, and the report of the Com- 
mittee, which was adopted by that body, 
was the substance of the result of the con- 
versation in the chaise." (Life, 11: 106.) 
Messrs. Spring, Worcester and Hale were 
the Conmiittee alluded to. 

Doubtless the members of the body at 
that session hardly knew the importance 
of the step which was then taken, eyen 
for its members. Its tendency was to 
bring the Greneral Association into notice 
as an active force for the promotion of re- 
ligion. Hitherto it had struggled for ex- 
istence. From this time it became more 
prominent The friends of orthodoxy 
recognized the men engaged in it, and 
soon came to regard it as a centre of 
union. One by one all the outside Asso- 
ciations which held orthodox views, came 
into union with it ; Union (now Norfolk) 
in 1811; Unity (now extinct) in 1816; 
Old Colony in 1820; l/Von;ester North in 
1821 ; Andover (the former Wilmington,) 
Barnstable (now divided into Brewster 
and Vineyard Sound,) and Suffolk (now 
Suffolk North and Suffolk South,) in 
182S; Worcester Central in 1825; Har- 
mony in 1826; Taunton in 1827; Mid- 
dlesex Union in 1828 ; Middlesex South, 
and Pilgrim in 1830; Wobum in 1885; 
Mendon, after a long and stubborn refu- 
sal, in 1841 ; Hampshire East in 1842 ; 
Bridgewater in 1850 ; and Salem in 1851; 
while there has gone out of it, Westmin- 
ster, now a Unitarian body under the 
name of Worcester West ; and in 1858, 
Bridgewater and Pilgrim united in one 
to appear under the venerable name of 
Plymouth. The last of the old orthodox 
Associations to come in, was Mendon. It 
had refused in 1808, in 1804, and 1807; 
there the matter rested until 1841, when 
a vote of imion was passed. The prin- 
ciple reason for this long delay was defer- 
ence to Dr. Emmons, whose sentiment 
was, ** AsBociationism leads to Consocia- 
tionism ; Consociationism leads to Presby- 
terianism ; Presby terianism leads to Epis- 



copacy; Episcopacy leads to Roman Cfr- 
iholicism; and Roman Catholicism is an 
ultmiate fact" 

The ^tiosi-eccledastical relations of the 
General Association with other bodies, 
were gradually perfected. In 1809, it 
entered into "correspondence," exchang- 
ing delegates with the General Associa- 
tions of Connecticut and New Hampshire ; 
in 1811, the General Assembly of the 
Presbyterian Church, continuing the cor- 
respondence with both branches, after the 
disruption of that body, until 1856, when 
that with the Old School body was drop- 
ped by mutual consent ; in 1812, the Gen- 
eral Convention of Vermont; in 1821, 
the Evangelical Consociation of Rhode 
Island; in 1885, the General Association 
of New York; in 1848, the General As- 
sociation of Michigan; in 1844, the Con- 
gregational Union of England and Wales; 
in 1845, the Greneral Convention of Wis- 
conan, and the Congregational Union of 
Canada East (now Canada;) in 1846, 
the Greneral Association of Iowa; in 
1849, the Association of Oregon, after- 
wards the General Association of Oregon 
and California, mnce 1856 divided into 
two General Associations; in 1855, the 
Greneral Conference of Ohio; in 1857, 
the Greneral Associations of Kansas and 
Minnesota; in 1858, the Congregational 
Association of Nebraska. 

In addition to the foregoing relatiooa, 
there was broached, in 1818, a project to 
unite all the General Associations of 
New England by means of a " Committee 
of Union" into one general organization. 
This plan originated with the General 
Association of Connecticut Drs. Wor- 
cester and Hyde, and Rev. Thomas Snell, 
were deputed by the Greneral Association 
to meet delegates from the other bodies at 
Northampton, Oct S, 1818 ; they reported 
the next year in favor of the plan, and 
that a ^ Committee of Union" meet an- 
nually on the 8d Wednesday of Ocfober. 
This report was adopted. The new or- 
ganization had its first session at the house 
of Rev. Abel Flint, D. D., Hartford ; it 



1859.] 



The MmaekmetU Cfaural AuomHcnC 



49 



\ 



I 



compoeed of Dn. Flint and L3rman 
Beecher for Connecticut, and Dr. Hyde 
and Rev. Mr. Snell for Massachusetts ; it 
appeared that New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont declined the union, but the body 
proceeded to business; Dr. Hyde was 
chairman and Dr. Flint, Scribe ; Dr. 
Hyde preached ; a two days' session was 
held; Dr. Beecher was appointed to 
preach at the session of the next year ; 
bat in 1821, the <« Committee of Union" 
recommended its own dissolution; the 
recommendation was adopted, and the 
praject, soon generally forgotten, but 
iHiieh, had it succeeded would have 
eventially united all our Congregational 
Associatioiis into one compact body and 
changed our whole, polity, came to an un- 
regretted end. 

So, also, did another ecclemastical pro- 
ject expire in its birth, but not without 
crippling the General Association itself. 
It oame np in the shape of appointing 
a committee, in 1814, to examine *^into 
die hiatoiy oT* **an ancient document" 
fimnd among the papers of Cotton Math- 
er, which contains an ** answer to the 
question, what further steps are to be ta- 
ken that councils may have due constitu- 
tioQ and efficacy ;" the Committee were 
also to eonsider ** the expediency of a re- 
commendation by this body of the plan 
of discipline there proposed." **ReY. Jed- 
ediah Morse, D.D., Rev. Samuel Austin, 
DJ>., Rer. Leonard Woods, D.D., Rev. 
Samuel Worcester, D.D., Rev. Enoch 
Hale, Bev. Joseph Lyman, D.D., and the 
Ber. Timothy M. Cooley" were the Com- 
mitlee ; they reported in an elaborate pa- 
per, in 1815, not recommending the pro- 
posalt (which are the same as printed in 
Wise'e Churches' Quarrel Espoused,) but 
prapomg the establishment of Consocia- 
tioos. The General Association, after full 
diseosrion ordered the reports to be print- 
ed for public infitrmation, and the subject 
to be eaDed up at the next session. It 
was dooe; and aldiough the evils grow- 
ing out of the disjmnted fellowship of the 
dmidMe in that time of doctrinal tribula- 



tion had doubtless suggested the plan, 
yet in 1816, all this body dared to do 
was to say that ^they believe that the 
Report. . . .accords in its general princi- 
ples, with the examples and precepts of 
the New Testament" and that they had 
no objection to the organization of the 
Consociations wherever the ministers and 
churches were inclined that way; and 
even this qualified approbation lost sev- 
eral Associations and gave countenance 
to the assertions of those who looked upon 
that body as covertly intending a system 
of ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Of the for- 
midable powers sought to be conferred on 
Consociations, of the steadfastness with 
which the churches resisted the usurpa- 
tion, and of the cotemporary literature 
thereby brought out, (some of which is in 
the writer's possession,) a further account 
may be given at a future period. 

Another work of the General Associa- 
tion was the organization of the Domestic 
Missionary Society. This, organized in 
1818, was the result of the struggle of the 
evangelical churches for existence. « The 
General Association organized that body, 
with a constitution providing that it be 
constituted of the General Association, and 
of other members by subscription or elec- 
tion, — the Moderator and Scribe of the 
latter to hold the same position in the 
former, and that its object be confined to 
Massachusetts Proper.^ There was al- 
ready a Society, the " Massachusetts Mis- 
sionary Society," in existence ; but by its 
charter, it could disburse no funds in this 
State ; hence the necessity of a Society 
attending to waste places at home — a 
work which is now properly denumding 
still greater attention than it has receiv- 
ed. The new body and the old Society 
united (by legal permission,) in 1827, 
when it was agreed that the united organ- 
ization should be represented by two del- 
egates in the General Association. 

The meetings, temporary affairs, and 
preachers of the Grcneral Association at 
its various sessions, have been as follows : 

1 ^ MaMaohaaetli Proper" mwexcliulTeof Main*. 



60 



The MasBoehusetts General Association. 



[Jan. 



GQ 
PS 
H 
« 

< 

H 
PS 



H 

O 



o 

H 
O 

o 

QQ 
GQ 

< 

< 
PS 

pq 

o 



GQ 

H 
H 
pq 

GQ 

P 

GQ 



» 
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P4 

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CQ 

O 

GQ 
GQ 

N 

QQ 

P 



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III 



•a f** -s."" 1 . w .« ^ " 



"■ fi 







2 - - - 



5 • 



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GQ 

a 
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J S3 s ft 





■3l|illllg| "^1:^11^^11 III 



I 



eo 



kO CO »^ 



eoeoeoaoeocoooaoaoeoaoeoaoeoaoaoaoaoaoaoaoaoaoaoao 



1859.] 



The Massachusetts General Association. 



61 









f 1 









§ J r3 f^ ^ _? • 



1° 



? 








isiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

fleaD«OCDC040OD4DODOD00000000000O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O00a00OODa0a0 



52 



The Mmachusetts General Aasociatian. 



[Jah. 



The standing offices of the General As- 
sociation are, that of Secretary (including 
Treasurership,) who preserves the records 
and documents; and Statistical Secretary, 
the latter having exclusive charge of the 
annual collection and publishing of the 
statistics of the churches; the term of 
office of each is three years. The Mode- 
rator, Scribe, and Assistant Scribe, are 
chosen only for one session. 

The standing offices have been filled 
as follows : 

Seoretart. 

Enoch Hauc,^ Westhampton, I894 — 
1824. 

Thomas Snbll, D. D.,* North Brook- 
field, 1824—1850. 

Emerson Davis, ■ D. D., Westfield, 
1860—1858. 

Alonzo H. Quint, Jamaica Plain, 
1868— 

Each of the past Secretaries left office 
by declining a re-election. 

Statistical Secretary. 
Alonzo H. Quint, Jamaica Plain, 
1856— 

It were useless to detail the transac- 
tions of the General Association year by 
year. It has met fifty-six times, in Chris- 
tian brotherhood, for the well-being of the 
Cause ; has had its sermons, its prayers, 
and its conferences, which have left their 
mark on the piety of the day. In addi- 
tion to these — the most valuable of its ex- 
ercises — ^and to its prominent operations 
already noticed, the General Association 

1 Bhogb Halb, is notlo«d on page 89, and Dr. 
Sum*, on page 47. 

a EitBSSOK Datis, D. D. wm born in Ware, Mb., 
Joly 16, 1798 ; grad. Williams, 1821 ; stadisd thaologj 
with Dr. Oriffln, vhilo perfbming the duties of Tutor 
in WiHiams Oollegs; was Uosnsed to preaoh by tho 
BoriuUre Assodalion, Feb. 1834 ; was preoeptot of 
Westfield Academy untU Vsb. 1886 ; was ordained 
pastor of the Ist ohureh in Westfield, June 1, 1886, 
which position lie still occupies ; receired the degree 
of D.D., fh>m Haryard Collefs, in 1847. Dr. Davis was 
appointed a member of the Massachusetts Board of 
Education at its establishment in 1886, and went out 
in two years by the expiration of his term ; he was 
reappointed in 1848 and served the ftUl term of eight 
yean. He has been one of the Trustees of Williams 
GoUsgs,siiioal8a8. 



has vigorously and perseveringly *< re- 
solved " on the main moral questions of 
current interest : 

On African Education, in 1824 and 
'31 ; on the A. B. C. F. M., in its com- 
mencement, and repeatedly afterwards; 
on Bible distribution, in 1829, '80, '32 '34, 
'40, '42, and '47; on Biblical knowledge 
and Sabbath School interests, in 1817, '19, 
'24, '27, '80, '31, '34, '37, '42, '44, '45, and 
'51 ; on Charity (religious,) in 1821, '51, 
'52 and '56 ; on Colonization (Afiican,) 
1819, '24, '29, '30, '32, '36, and '47 ; on 
Common Schools, in 1849 ; on Education 
Societies, in 1833, '35, and '51 ; on Home 
Missions, in 1829, '32, '33, '87, '39, '65, 
'57, and '58 ; on Infant Baptism, in 1853, 
'55, and '57 ; on Itinerant Evangelists, in 
1836; Ministerial Charges, in 1852 and 
'53 ; on Moral Reform in 1833 ; on Na- 
tional Congregational Convention in 1852; 
on Peace in 1835, '36, '42, '46, '47, and 
'53 ; on Popery, in 1834 and '42 ; on 
Psalmody, in 1820, '45, '46, '56, and '57; 
on the Sabbath, in 1815-'17, '24, '25, '28, 
•30, '81, '33, '89, '41-'43, '48, and '53 ; on 
the Seamen's Cause, in 1831, '32, and 
'37; on Slavery, in 1834, '87, and in 
every year from 1841 to 1858, excepting 
1844 and 1852 ; on Temperance, in 1813, 
'27, '30— '33, '34, '85, '41, '42, '47, '52, '57, 
and '58 ; on Tobacco, in 1833 ; on Tract 
operations, in 1816, '34, '36 and '58 ; on 
Western Education, in 1831, '85, '45, and . 
'58. It commended Amherst Collie in 
1842; Granville Female Seminary in 
1836, and Mt Holyoke in 1835 ; Williams 
Collie in 1842 ; the Boston Recorder in 
1834 ; the Christian Alliance in 1845 and 
'48 ; the Congregational Library Associa- 
tion in 1853, '54, and '57 ; tho Hartford 
Deaf and Dumb Asylum in 1818; the 
Doctrinal Book and Tract Society (now 
Congregational Board of Publication,) in 
1851 and '53 ; the Foreign Evangelical 
Society in 1888, '39, '43, '44, '47 and 
'48; a Southern Theological Seminary; 
Wilbur's New Testament in 1824; and 
has attended to the wants of Ireland 
(1848,) the Jews, (1846,) Nebraska 



1859.] A Lemn from He Pad. 53 

(1854,) and Sjuisas (1855.) If^ how- annoallj, in each Anociation in torn ; it 
•Ter, an J one fdahes to trace these yari- is an ezcliuively clerical body, composed 
lioQS resolations, he will encounter the of two delegates fipom each of twenty- 
obstacle axifflng fiom the iact that the seyen district Associations, the Secretary, 
earliest records exist only in a com- the Statistical Secretary, the clergyman 
pilalkm made in 1816, and that no com- of the place of meeting, and two delo- 
plete set of the annual publications of this gates from the Massachusetts Home Mis- 
body is known to exist sionary Society ; in addition, the preach- 
^ Statistics have also been prominent in ers of the two sermons, the chairmen of 
the action of the Greneral Association, all Committees attending to report, the 
The first published bear date of 1819, delegates from corresponding bodies, and 
thon^ signs of their appearance had been the delegates of the preceding year to 
threatening fiaar several years. They have corresponding bodies, are admitted as 
been cootinned since, forlorn in their ap- honorary members. The services include 
pearance, deceptive in their statements, a sermon on ^ome Missions, another 
and accompanied by melancholy com- called the Associational, a service for the 
plaints, until, in 1856, a new system was benefit of the people of the place, a dis- 
inaugorated, a statistical office established, cussion on questions previously published, 
and entire success accomplished. salutations of delegates, reports from its 
As now constituted, the (xeneral Asso- own delegates, the Lord's Supper, necessa- 
dalioo meets on the 4th Tuesday of June ry business ; and cover parts of three days. 



■-•- 



A LESSON FROM THE PAST : 

EARLY METHODS OF CHURCH-EXTENSION. 

BT BEY. J. 8. CLARK. 

Whsthsb we regard this nation of Society have doubled during the last 

ours by itself, as destined soon to have on twenty-five years, and the funds expend- 

its soil a hundred million souls in a course ed for their support have trebled, (the 

of training fixr eternity, or whether we same is also true of other Boards,) there 

look at the influence which these are des- probably were never so many unanswered 

tined to exert on the thousand millions calls for home missionary help as at the 

who people the globe, we can hardly ex- present moment The tide of immign^ 

aggerate the importance of its thorough and tion from the old world to the new, which 

speedy evangelization. Nor can we doubt at the opening of this century brought 

that the responsilHlity of its accomplish seven thousand foreigners to our shores 

ment is devolved mainly on such agents per annum, now brings half a million. 

and agencies as may here be found. This The dispersion of our native population 

is so well understood that no body on into void wastes is adding to the field of 

earth, but the Pope, will ever think of Home Missions a breadth of destitution 

ni^ying our ^ lack of service" in this equal to about one new State a year, 

department And still more startling is the increasing 

And yet there is confessedly a lack of demand for help that just now comes from 

service. The supply is disproportioned all parts of New England, where it was 

to the demand ; and this disproportion, fondly hoped that the necessity for such 

instead of lessening, is every day increas- helps was growing less and would soon 

ing. Notwithstanding the laborers sent cease altogether. These tokens and tes- 

finrth by the American Home Missionary timonies challenge our profoundest at- 



54 



A Lesson from the Pad. 



[Jak. 



tention. And they are receiving it. 
Thoughtfiil minds are everjrwhere asking, 
What shall be done ? Earnest and en- 
terprising men are suggesting theories 
witii a Tiew t^ meet these seen and felt 
necessities. Conventions and Associa- 
tions of ministers, and Conferences of 
churches are appointing Committees, and 
passing resolutions, and proposing meas- 
ures with reference to the same subject 
These indications of a wide-spread want, 
are also the ogns of coming relie£ 
Such endeavors, so combined, can hardly 
fail of bringing some good result, if pur- 
sued with discretion, and in the light 
which experience has shed on the sub- 
ject 

Without meaning to divert attention, 
for a single moment, &om our present 
eleemo83mary system of Home Missions, 
but rather with the hope of increasing its 
efficiency, by restoring certain elements 
of power which appear to have dropped 
out, it is proposed, in this article, to set 
forth the early methods of Church Exten- 
sion in New England, and the success 
which attended them. 

The first idea of their vocation as 
Church-extefisionists, or propagators of 
Christianity, seems to have dawned upon 
John Robinson and his flock, in Holland, 
and is recorded thus among their reasons 
for removing to America : — ** Fifthly, and 
lastly, and which was not the least, a great 
hope and inward zeal they had of laying 
some good foundation, or at least to make 
some way thereunto for the propagating 
and advancement of the Gospel of the 
kingdom of Christ; yea, although they 
should be but as stepping-stones unto oth- 
ers for the performance of so great a 
work." (Morton's Mem., ed. 1855, p. 12.) 
Previously to this epoch in their pilgrim- 
age, their own preservation, as a witness- 
ing Church, was all that they had aimed 
at, or even dared to hope for. 

The first /orm which this new idea took 
in its practical development on these 
shores, was the colonization of churches — 
dismissing members from one particular 



communion to constitute another, in some 
new settlement, too far off to permit their 
habitual attendance at the old place of 
worship. The sacrifice to which bodi 
parties often submitted, can hardly be ap- 
preciated in our day. That fiuthftil 
chronicler of the Plymouth Church, Na- 
thaniel Morton, in recording its third 
depletion by this process, sorrowfully 
adds : ^ Thus was this poor Church like 
an ancient mother, grown old and for- 
saken of her children, (though not in their 
affections yet,) in regard to their bodily 
presence and personal helpfulness. Thus 
she that had made many rich, became 
herself poor." (Plym. Church Rec.) Still 
heavier were the burdens which fell on 
those who withdrew. Cases are reported 
of meeting-houses, built in some of these 
first settled towns, when the entire popu- 
lation could sit together on the sills at 
" the raifflng ; " and of parishes support- 
ing Udo ministers on a valuation of prop- 
erty which would now be deemed inade- 
quate to support one without misaionaiy 
aid. Instead of certifying their need of 
such aid, as in similar cases would be the 
first thing done in our day, it behooved 
these withdrawing members to show that 
they could support the Gospel themselves, 
and were ready to do it ; for the Fathers 
of the Commonwealth had no idea of per- 
mitting a plantation to grow up under 
their jurisdiction, without ** an able ortho- 
dox ministry ; " as also the planters them- 
selves had no wish to attempt any such 
thing. The proprietorship of all the early 
towns was granted, and the grant accept- 
ed, on condition that ** such a company 
might be received as should maintain the 
public worship of God among them." It 
was this requisition which determined the 
territorial size of the town. It must be 
large enough to sustain a population ade- 
quate to support a minister, and not too 
large for them all to meet in one place of 
worship on the Sabbath — an historical 
fact, by the way, explmning the origin of 
these ** little republics," as they have been 
called, which cover the entire face of New 



THE 



(S^m^tt^ntwml 




I i» I 



This new «aiidicUite for pubKc Uiror was started in January last, without a single pledged 
subscriber, ;n the conviction that a felt need existed for just such a Journal ajs it wajs^- 
signed-to be, and that the Public, and the Congregational denominiition, especially, wotiM 
sustain it. It was thought by its projectors, that a Quarterly which should confine lt4f$K 
strictly, though not bigotedly, to the literature, principles, history, statistics, neoessitiM, 
•ioM ^nd hopes of the denomination now representing our Pilgrim Fathers all over this OQnr 
tinept, and which should so concentrate within its pages that which every intelligent Congrv- 
gationaKat desires and needs to know, might not merely Und support, but might hope to do 
much good — ^in disseminating needed information; in reviving the memory of the virtues of 
the fathers, )ind advocating again the principles to which they gave the vigor of their lot« 
and life ; in commendihg the simple Polity of the New Testament, and of the first and second 
centuries of the Christian Church, afresh to the minds of the thinking world; in binding to- 
gether Congregationalists— East and West, North and South — by a warmer mutual interest, 
and a more cordial mutual confidence; and in indirectly advancing ** whatsoever things are 
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, 
whatsoever things are of good report." It was, moreover, felt that a Journal which should, 
in some measure, take the place 4ilQgraphicalIy and statistically left vacant by the suspension 
of the American Quarterly Register, (files of which now command the highest price in the 
book-market,) if suited to the populair* taste, would meet with large acceptance. 

In order ^ carry out these ideas to their fullest extent, it was thought essential to put the 
price within the mea;^ of the humblest individual whose tastes, position or pursuits, might 
lead him to be interested in such a work ; and the sum of One Dollar was accordingly fixed 
upon, as being at once the lowest pos&ible amount for which the work could be done, and otie 
which would commend itas^to all interested as invitingly within their means. 

The first number was issued in January last, and the second is just out. The work has 
met with a cordial welcome from the press, and from the public. Although no agency has 
been employed, subscriptions have already come in, to a degree which indicate that it only 
needs to be generally known to gain a position of permanent prosperity. 

Among the kind notices which have been received, are the following : — 

what It pmroiFes and fbrsthadows on bshajf of ti^ 
plan on whloL it is vstablished, as JMSt tbe thii?g tm 
nafl long been needtd. It In the onfy national ana 
bruad Church Journal of tho doDQinlDa(K>n,.aD4 1g- 
nocHB all achoots and partiuit, and means ooj»n«tD«s- 
ly aud honiisUy to attain p^thet lm|H»rt)ftUiy in Its 
records and reasDDlngs. 

All will, at leatst, confess that it is a model of cheap- 
ness. One bundled and fbnr pagM with a sCwel M- 
graving, fuor tlmett repeated,— far One dollar aaraJa- 
nora, i» a phenomenon unknown bsfore. We hope H 
will alwav« be known hereafler.— Gofi^ifalieiMMfK. 



It Is eonduetsd by Revs. J. 8. Clark, D.D., H. M. 
Dszter, and A. H. Quint ; an admirable trio for the 
porpose— Dr. Clark being thoroughly vened iu the 
Ustory and literaturs or Congregationalism, Mr. Dex- 
ter an able expounder of Its prlm-iplee and working, 
and Mr. Qnlnt being the most thorough an<i philo- 
sophical statistician that the deiiominaiiOD boants. 
In historical and statistical matters this Quarterly 
will flcwke good the place of The American (^uarttrly 
RigiUer^ whikb as a popular exponent of the great 
prittdples of the Congregational faith and order. It 
win nreearve alive laoch which, through long neglect, 
wss Difglnning to perish.— /M<fepeA</fnt. 

We dUnk that this number will commend Itself to 
lbs dwiwnlDatton,— If not t>r irhat U Is in itself— for 



The new OongregatlOBal Qoarterly, ooodaoted by 
Rev. Messrs. Clark, Dexter and Quint, has mads its 
appearance. It Lb very handsomely pnatM, and e4iH 



-»«T:j^i.-r»g *^ ^ -,■.. 



talnfl matter of mach Interest to New England Bflnla- 
ten.— Boston Recorder. 

Wtarn tbe nnnouncenirnt wan made that Purh a 
Qniirterly would be isiiucd, periouR doubts arose in our 
mindK whether there wn^ a pinre and a work for it. 
A pemKiI of the ^p«rim<'n number befon* uh has re- 
moTed thOM> doubts, and cnn winced ub that it ran, 
and will live to be popular in the denoniinution, and 
to do a ffreat and good work for it. We barn no 
other periodical dl5iiir.ctiTely denoroinationHl, in 
which might appear appropriate statistics, biojfmpbf- 
cal sketches, ohituaries, and accounts of ordinations, 
Installations, remorals, dcdicationfi. church orgrtnizf 
tions aD4 histqrifs, and rerivMls, together with argu- 
ments hi defenre* and exposition of our system of 
goTsmmenl and fiiith, aiirf f ujtgei«t1onfl fur the in" 
crease and improTement of tlie churches. The Con- 
^ffiotionnl Quarterly will henceforth l)o indlHpnn- 
sable to the pastors, ofncerA and leading members, 
of our churches, as may be judged by the following 
account of tbe contents of thi^ opening number. 

Congregationtd Herald ( Ctieago.) 

Tbe first number of this new Quarterly is before 
ns, and it more than realiies our expecmtions. The 
editors, Rers. J. S. Clark, H. M. Dexter and A. If. 
Quint, in their introductory circular. «^ay that this 
number is a ^' specimen rather of good intentions 
than of anything more/' We think, however, that 
it will br received not dimply a.« a •' specimen of eood 
lot(*n(«'fhs," but akio as the bucrtrvful initiation of a 
work which should interest and receive the support 
of every lover of Oongregatlonolijm. — Me. Evangelht. 

This new-comer into the Periodical Family appears 
with a fair record, and well known spon!<on>. 

Utristian Mirror. 

The object of the work is a good one. * * * U'o 
think it will Iiave a wide circiilatiou, and do a good 
work. — Vermont Otronicle. 

TnK CoxOREQATioSAL QuARTHRLT is ft ncw periofli- 
cal pnbliea^^ion Js:iued from thet'onsrei^ntional Build- 
ing, Chauncy Street^ apd eiiifed by IIhv. McshTs*. ,1. S. 
Clark, 11. M. D«»xfer and \. II. Quint, pontlenien well 
quaiUfled by experience and vared t^ict for the task. 
The first nuuiber, though n|>ologeti<-ully beriil<J<:(l, 
is, in d»'.«>ign and execution alike, really a cnpitil one, 
abounding in Ju^t the argument, statistics and infor- 
matiou that ^o to form tbe ri^ht idc;il of such a de- 
nominational Issue. It is furnished at the low price 
of one dollar jier annum. 

{Baptist) Waichrnan and lUJltetvr. 

The first number of this new Quarrcrly has been 
laid upon our table, aod we have rc.d it vvi(h much 
interest. It-* design \* to promote tlie interests of 
CongregatioiiAllsin, and judging from this number, 
we regard it a«i admira>>ly adapted to this enil. We 
wi*h thi^ our own denomination mi$rht be stimulated 
tOft8imlIarcnterpri.se.— (Z>a/>£f A/) Chr.uian Era. 

_ We wl-ib to call spe< i.il attention to tl»e Con^uga' 
tional Quarterly • • The oljeefc proposed U cal- 
eulate^i to enlist the support of all Conpregarionalfsts, 
and the first number i.^ well pn*pared in the variety 
and style of its articles. We welcome it heartily to 
tbe fraternity of Quarterlies.— AVw Englandtr. 

The first number of this new Quarterly is a work of 
much ability. • ' Certainly without a parallel for 
oheapnt^ss among the quarterlies of America. 

R. I Schoolmaster. 

Wa are led to notice the appearance of this new 
religious Quarterly, from the fact that iu plan em- 
bmers much master cf historical value. Thu**, in 
the present number, We have a biogriphicnl skit<-h 
of the famouif Thomns Prin-e, the annalist, which 
coi.tuius many f.tots, fioui original sources, never t>e- 
fore made public. Tbe tabk-s, bbo, of iiema relative 
to. GongRMatioaal clergym?D, contain much which 
will hereafter assist the genen legist. 

N. E. Historical and Utneahgieal Register. 



I give my name and inbaerlptlonfbrtlM 0»ngngm- 
tional Quarterly^ and tend eneloaed one dollar, tbe 
pri4*e per year— too cheap If tbe anbaequent tmmben 
are made equal to the first. — Rrt>. J. Hawes^ D.D , 

llartforJy Ot. 

I enclose fiur dollars for four copiea of the Cbn- 
gregational Quarterly. The merits of the January 
numher are such as will secure, I trust, a large sub* 
scription. We have long needed Just such a pubUra- 
tion for our enlargement, and indeed, self-defence, as 
a denomination, and this number moat worthily gives 
promise of what is to come. — Rev. W. T. Dun'gkt^ 
D.D., Portion J ^ Me. 

I like the plan and the work, Mius far, vary laitth.— 
Rer. J. W. Chicktring, V.D., Jhn-Htmdi Mff. 

Please find enclosed, one dollar, my subtcrlption 
to 3 our valuable, exoellent, most desirable (and is it 
not too cheap?) publication.— /irr. N. Adams, D.D.t 
Bo.ston. 

I have examined the Congreguiionml QuoHcrfy, 
and think it a work of very great importance to tbe 
Congretta tional conUection and to the eommunirr. — 
Rev. W. A. Stearns^ D D., Prisident of Amkem 

College. 

I rej jice to see the Congregational (^utirtertf. It 
i>4 my settled rule, not to meddle at all with pnbllea* 
tions of any soit, in the way of indoelog my people 
to ttubscnlM for them, preferring to let them art 
wholly for themselves. I have, bowvTer, been to 
de>irous to have this Quar(«r/y taken, and hopeao 
mucli from it, th:it I have made an exception in Ita 
favor. 1 send, herewitti, a lint of thirteen names.— 
Rev. Ray Palmer^ D.D., Albany, iV. Y. 

Tlie objects proposed, denominationally considered, 
are appropriate and important to Congregational itta 
and to Congregationalism, as an ecclesiastical system, 
and in their promotion you will doubtleaa have tbe 
countenance of the entire denomination. — Rev. Ed- 
ward \V. ILiok'.r, D.D., Fairhacen, Yt, 

I am highly pleased with your Qnarterly^ and wish 
\nu the largest success. — K<f. 11^. l. Budtngton, 
'D.D., Biookiyn, X. Y. 

In enclosing my i^ubscription for the Congrrga- 
tional Qnmierly^ I wish t> express to' you my grati- 
fication that huch :i work is to be addei^ciur period- 
ical literature. I have always lamentra the demise 
of thf old Qwirterly Regifter. I think that several 
relit;ious periodicals, of heavier pretensions, ct>uld 
have bpc:i more eit^ly spared. I am accustomed 
still to refer to the volumes of that Quarterly fbr 
infonmitiou which, sofuiixH 1 know, it acceaaibie in 
no other ti'rm 1 very cordially welcome the appear- 
ance of iu suc<-e.osor. The histriricai and statistical 
accumulations in such a work mustaoon become in- 
valuable to Mchularly men, aud especially to thoae 
who appreciate our Congregational poiity — a polity 
which es.^entially grows out of the actual hiaiory of 
the churt-Ues, and has mor« than once been u><>difled 
by that history. Suob a work, continued through a 
quarter of a ceiiturv, miy become a more truthful 
exponent of Congregationalism as it b, than any 
mure ancient and veuentblc " Platform.*' 

Th*? Carbolic cbawcter which you propose to give 
to tbe work, is to mv mind peculiarly grtttef^l. Tliat 
this will be preserved, the character of its editorial 
triumvirate is a 8uflic;ent guarantee.— /^r. Au^in 
Fheljia, D.D.f Andover^ Ms. ^ ' . 

I heartily rejoice at this enterprise, and wiab It aU 
po>siblu huctefs. There is no set of books In mf 
library wbii-h 1 consult more frequently, or reaa 
with gre.iter relish, tbau the * Id Quarterly Regiuer* 
and any i»eriodicMt that promises to follow In' tbe 
fuot<te|*a of so iilu'trious a predecessor, will have a 
warm welcouMe at my table, and the tielp of mv aob- 
scription aa long aa I can raise tbe aanuat doutt.— 
Rev. Pliny H. WhUcy Coventry, Fi. 



I hfrtiry eominend yonr miterprlw, and wIiTfi Tft 
ttfanpluttit McfNte.. Thoiklfh not tH« only gobd 
thUtg to brmd, Iq littpging th« whoU world Into 
sunjtwdon to th« btKh«r Uw of Cbriflt, give me Con- 
grf§antmalism for the Uolted 9fales, for the Butid- 
vleb lBlaa4«, for old coimnonitiea and «e«, every- 
where and 9lwHjr9 ; luid let the principles of Despot- 
i*tii^ Utrtig/iips and Aristeetttff, be f«Vr nerki twt 
tnUiod to Vfar wUh de|i«bt Chriit'a >ok«.-^iJ«v /f. . 
Bingham, Prinnjiol nf York Square Seminary, Neio 
Hnten, Oi.^ Iforrherlif Mmionary M tkt Sanifwick 
Itionds. 

The plan of tbe Congregational Qxtnrterly hg nrxSq^xt 
and admirable. . Some eyrrenb re«;ocd of thingi« goii^ 
on In the denbmfnafion we greatly needed. Some 
vpfaiffie aim for oiakinir'the tbdiiM%Ddit of Coogrega- 
tionaliurs in the. United .Srafen aware of the richiie of 
oar LiMory and relfglOua Ifterathre, and keeping 
Mlive tftff cnmiMtion wtrh our gf ariouR Fiuil^n t^t.. 
Your Quarterly will do it. It Jh a/i./trn, I wi»h it 
the best success.— /{(rr G F. Magoun^ Ddvennorl, ' 
Iowa. ', 



I am exbeaiely pteated wieh yonr Jiirfcil tiiite^ 
and tbe plan whieh yon propo** fbr the iatwf oom- 
Un.—Hpv. S. P. Fay, Jp^ytony O. 

After sendkig you ib^ ^nolowd names and mooaj,. 
I D^l not say that I cordinlly approre of yonr «n- 
**rpri«e. Inannot dotrbt ftjr a mntaient the' ^ntfra 
AurcoM of >our ttiovement, end that your QaarUrfy 
will meet a wnnt nnd fill a Told whirh has been neg- 
lected quite ton ftifig nli^d? for the interests- of tmr 
body.— /Jrtf. T. £. -Bf«#, Biackitont. Ms, 

■1 like it mvph. - Our donoraination needs juit waxA 
^liork.— Rev. N. Gale, D.J?.^ Lee, Ms. 

I wish tOi enNramge and inipport a good, wmrll of 
thi;* kl»d, I tru^t that yo^ will t>ucreed in your 
effortH, and give us a Qwirterly worthy of Congrega- 
. tlocaitmn. May Qod direceand prosper you tar>toia 
eff«;rr, and regard ^ou for this labor of love in (he 
support of a system as old n« the First Ohurrh st 
Jenwaleni.— /<^e. C. Deuty, D,Di, Rockesttr^N. Y^ 



We might tU sheets with just such testimonials. Our brethren at the West, and on Pres- 
byterian gfbu^d generally, have hailed the appearance of the Quarterly with special joy. One 
brother write/ from Uivt^^ 'il\UA\\c rery. periodical our wants demand. I am more than de- 
lighted with it, and shall do all t can to send you subscribers." 

A Doctor of Divinity, standing high in the confidence of the churches, writes from the 
midst of a Presbyterian city : ^ ,. 



*' I have read no Periodical wUh/Vo n^rh Intenrft 
since I can remenit)er ; and it is not ea^y for any 
man to find on« Mi readable. Boob a work was 
grrpatly nee<led ; and, carried on in aco'rdnnce with 
your desi^, it will be M^cnnd in iniporranre arnJ 
value to no perio'iical in the l.ind ; and no int*'ll!geiiC 
u)ini.<(ter or laxntan, in the t'ongregafionjil roiinet-- 
rlon certainly, will fwl that he can do without ir." 

Another brother writes: 

•*All hail to the Cons;regatiannl Quarterly. A 
thoutfHud rhintcH for thn enterprise. 1 wouiti Kub- 
»cri'H* if the price w^re ten dollar?, in^re'iil of one dol- 
lar. You chilli li.iVi- uiy nione> and my |»ravrr,H 
until my purse find my hcvirf. are entirely enipf} !'' 

Another says : 

" Your f^itarter/y will be a very valuable addition 
ti> the jHfriodiciilM of the d ly ; and though my tabln 
i- constantly 1>~)h(1p1 with p«pei>Hnii paaipltlrtM. con- 
r>tirdng tbe new.n anJ the v«Hefy of d{t)(■u.«^ii>n.'< — 
p<diMc-al, moral and religiltu^• — which are constai.tly 
b*.<<uiog from thp pre«p, srill, I think th-it I cannot 
ft>rego rhtf privilegfy ot reailin,^ it.*' 

One brother sends us sixty names from a 

New Eiigland city, and says ; 

'* I obtained them all by personal application— not 
uncing it in any insttnce, tuit explaining it, and 



glviXig' the opportdndty. The iiflit comprises the elit* 
of ail our Congregational churches, and I am inclined 
to re^ittrd it as about the best day 'a work for Congre- 
vatiouaJi^ui whith has evtr t»een done in this city.*' 

Another brother writes from Pennsylvania, 

ordering the Quarterly, and adding: 

*' I want it, for, though in the Preobyterlan con- 
net'tion, I lore my nativn Church, and dearly love 
her prosperity." 

Another brother, writing from Illinois, says : 

'' We hail this Quarterly with unmingled satisfkc- 
tion. ret^urdin^ it. in tiuthast ' an indispensable ne- 
ce.-Mty ' to our denominatii n.*' 

Another brother says: 

'^ Notwith{>tanding the almost innumerable ways 
in which (loUfirs neceS'Sirily go, I f«e not how I can 
refist the ten'ptation to become a subscriber " 

Another says : 

"It did not take us long to decide that your valua- 
ble (/nraluaVilc. rather.) Magazine was an indispen- 
sable ne<ePHiry in our bou^eh(■ld. May the iNStsuc- 
c^»5? attend the new enteiprifc, and the blessing of 
fiod. the God of our fatheis aud our God, be abun- 
dantly bestowed upon jour labors." 



We have received, from one or tno sources, the suggestion that we were either wronging 
ourselves by publi.shing at a price below cost, or the proprietors of other Quarterlies are 
wronging the ptiblic by making it pay more for their Journals than they are worth. The fact 
is that this Quarterly is owned and published by its Editors, who •♦ work for nothing and find 
themselves," for the present, in order that the denomination may have the benefit of our 
labors at a price whirh will favor the largest circulation of the Magazine, and its widest influ- 
ence for good. Having n') expenses for salaries, and none except those connected with the 
actual cost of the number:* as they come from the press, we are able to ♦' make both ends 
meet " at a figure which will save us from actual loss, with a lis* of two thousand subscribers, 
and which promises some small return for our risk and trouble by and by, when a circulation 
shall be reached which shall be in some measure commensurate with the fitness of the Quar- 
terly for the popular Congregational need. We are willing to trust to the good sense of the 



denbmliittion to brix^ that 4>y speedily pxu Meanwhile we feel that it if irith more .than 9n 
oidtinacy okaimiipan public sympathy and patronage tiUat we nia7«];genpoa-«i«r7«iM.wiko 
receives this circular to send us at least one new name without delay. While our lilt {a rxrj 
eneonraging in its character, it is not yet such as to save u« from loss. 

If only theptutor and deacons of every Congregational Chtfreh — the men whose wwata and 
tastes are especially consulted in its preparation, and whose lives when finishfd, wiU'find ve- 
eord in its pages^ — ^will send us their subscriptions, the work will be placed at once in a eonili- 
tion of strength and permanenoe ; while, from the biographical and statistical charaoter of its 
matter, etevy such dollar is invested in numbers which will increase in pecuniary valiM (in« 
stead of becoming worthless) as the years pass on. 

T)BLe 'Quarterly is now published under the sanction of the American CoogregOfiomU Unhn 
of New York, as well as the Congregational Library Aetociation of Boston, and its Secretary 
is now an associate Editor. The ** Year Book" is discontinued, and its matter will appear in 
our pages. We fiimish now the only Denominational bond, in the way of Quarterly Jour* 
nalism, and we .hope ao to conduct our labors as to please and profit 4II. 

In return, is it too much to hope for the kind patronage of all ? 

J. S. CLAEK. ) 

IL M. D:EZT£K, ( Editor$9nd 

A. H. QTHNT, ( Prcprieion. 

I. P. LANGWOKTHY, ) 
Boston, April 12, 1859. 

Send tour Name, Address (and Dollar) to 

"THE CONGREGATIONAL QUARTERLY, 

Chamncy Street, Boeton, Mom,*' 



1859.] 



Lesson from tie Pad. 



66 



England, and are not fonnd out of it 
Thej sprang from the piety and ecclesi- 
astical polity of our Congregational Fath- 
ers. The Churck gaye birth and shape 
and size to the town* 

Stimnlated by this two-fold impulse of 
an inward religions zeal, and a spirit of 
secular enterprise, (for the Puritans were 
by no means regardless of ** the life that 
now is," when yiewed as a perquisite of 
M godliness,") that first generation wrought 
prodigious achierements in Church Ex- 
t^iBon. The four or five original church- 
es that were planted within the Plymouth 
and Massachusetts colonies, had multi- 
plied, in the course of thirty years from 
the arriTal of the Mayflower, to forty-two, 
ai^d were actually supporting fifty-five 
settled ministers. Have any people, since 
apostolic times, afforded a better illustration 
of deep poverty, abounding unto the riches 
of their liberality? Actuated by the 
same spirit, how soon would their descend- 
ants evangelize the new settiements of the 
West, and reclaim the old wastes of the 
East, by merely supplying their own re- 
ligious wants, and providing for their 
children's I It is not pretended that the 
hand of charitv could be withdrawn 

w 

from the work of Church Extension. The 
present system of Home Missions will con- 
tinue to be a necessity — a growing neces- 
rity — ^perhaps till the millenium ; but when 
the demand for missionary labor is already 
so far beyond the possibility of an adequate 
supply ; ^when charity is ready to faint 
under the task imposed upon her ; may 
it not be well to inquire whether this 
early, and, for many years, ordy method 
of propagating the gospel among us, and 
which was found so effectual, cannot be 
made more available than it now is? 
whether the colonization of churches. 
East and West, but especially in the older 
and better supplied portions of the land, 
cannot be accomplished with less reliance 
on foreign aid than we now see ? For, if 
it can, then there is a proportional amount 
of Home Missionary Amds reserved for 
propagating the Grospel in places where 



its sel^propagation and self^upport are 
impossible ; and, what is a still greater 
gain, the churches themselves, thus rising 
by their own exertion, are made better 
thereby — more robust — more like those 
primitive churches on these shores, which 
for earnest piety and Christian enterprise 
will ever be regarded as models. It was 
not so much through charity, as through 
stem self-denial, that they were trained 
and toughened for the work which God 
gave them to do. 

Another type of Church Extension was 
developed among the Congregationalists 
of New England during the second gen- 
eration. Cases were beginning to occur 
like those which now constitute the chief 
business of Home Missions, where the 
ministry of the Word was evidentiy need- 
ed in some new settiement, before the 
resident members were able, by any 
efforts of their own, to support a minister. 
To meet this demand, without calling on 
the Misnonary Society — ^the only and ever 
present resort now, but an imposability 
then — ^*» branch" churches (so named,) 
were formed ; that is, a small number of 
famlies, living six, or eight, or twelve miles 
from the sanctuary, were permitted to ex- 
pend their proportion of the parish tax to 
support preaching among themselves, for 
three or six months of the year — still 
holding their ecclesiastical relation to the 
old home, and returning there on comr 
munion Sabbaths, and continuing to wor- 
ship there after exhausting their own 
scanty means. This plan had a two-fold 
aspect It looked to the well-being both 
of the mother Church and the young 
daughter. It guarded agsunst a too sud- 
den depletion on the one hand, and a too 
heavy burden on the other. It avoided 
the indiscretion so often seen in later 
times, of splitting one strong Church into 
two feeble ones ; while, at the same time, 
it afforded a fit opportunity for the " strong 
to bear the infirmities of the weak," till 
both were prepared for a full and friend- 
ly separation. It may be regarded as 
the first mode of conducting Domestic 



56 



A Lesson frtm the Past. 



[Jan. 



Missioiifl in New England ; and no subse- 
quent improvements in the system can 
atone for the loss occasioned by the almost 
uniyersal neglect into which it has fallen. 
A return to this old path, where circum- 
stances will permit, would relieve the 
Home Missionary Society of large outlays 
in the older portions of the field, which, 
for whatever cause, are becoming larger 
than heretofore. It would save the 
** branch" Church from contracting the 
feeling of dependence and pauperism, 
which, unless grace prevent, is almost sure 
to become a habit under the usual elee- 
mosynary treatment, oftentimes sadly en- 
feebling its moral powers long after its 
ability in all other respects has been at- 
tested. And how much of ecclesiastical 
rancor, so often engendered by an unfra- 
temal way of colonizing churches, would 
be avoided I Among all the experiments 
made in this way of Church Exten- 
sion, of which a score can be readily 
called to miod,^ not one quarrel, or even a 
breach of friendship between the mother 
and the daughter, is remembered. A 
process so gradual and quiet, and withal 
so accordant with the laws of nature, 
could hardly be forced to a violent issue. 
It is much to be wished that those over- 
grown churches in our large towns, whose 
spiritual life would course quicker in every 
vein — whose youth would be "renewed 
like the eagle's " — by such depletion, and 
whose wisest members, it may be, are re- 
strained from proposing it, mainly through 
fear of stirring up strife, would ponder this 
view of the subject, and see if it be not a 
practicable one. And there are other 
churches, not so large, which yet have 
members living in some remote village or 
section of the town, where another place 
of worship ought to be opened, and will 
be, before long, and a separate Church 
gathered. In the modern way of meeting 
such exigencies, if one-third of the popu- 
lation in that village or section of the town 

1 The prMent Ist charohea in Beyerly, Manches- 
ter, DanTexs, BiUerlca, Plympton, Hiddleboxo*, ue 
Mnong the nomber that Ibrmed. 



happen to be Baptists, or Methodiati, and 
the other two-thirds are of the Orthodox 
Congregational order, the chances are 
altogether in &v(»r of a Baptist or a Meth- 
odist organization, with a meeting-lioafle 
and minister to match. But if the Con- 
gregationalists so far ouiziumber ail othen 
that nobody else has the heart or the ftoe 
to occupy the ground by opening a place 
of separate worship, a movement at lenglli 
originates among themselves ; not in the 
old Church and Society, however, but 
outside of themt — ^perhaps in opposilioii to 
them — and the Home Missionary Society 
must expend some $200 a year, for five or 
ten years, in bringing up a feeble Church, 
which would just as well, and in a shorter 
time, have come up of itself under the de- 
lightful and lasting obligations of gratitude 
to the mother Church, if the Pastor and his 
people had gone to work in the way that 
their Fathers would have done a hundred 
years ago. 

The next form of church-extension 
adopted by the fathers of New-England 
cannot be so cordially commended to the 
imitation of their descendants now, thou^ 
as that time and in their condition it was 
a most important and praiseworthy de- 
velopement of Christian principle, which 
cannot be too fondly cherished. The rav- 
ages of French and Indian wars, where- 
in plantations were laid waste, villages 
burned, and their population slaughtered 
or dispersed, broke up the churches also 
at many of these points of attack. In 
several instances the ministers themselves 
were either massacred or taken captive. 
To repair and repeople these desolations 
was a slow and sorrowful process. The 
dismal recollections of a burning home, 
a murdered parent, a child carried 
into captivity among savages, were not 
suited to hasten the return of the former 
occupants. And then those forsaken 
ways of Zion, her solemn feasts suspend- 
ed, the voice of her watchmen silenced 
on her walls — there was a strong repel- 
lancy in all this, which it needed some 
countervailing encouragement to with- 



1859.] 



A Lesson from the Pad. 



57 



stand. It became a matter of necessity 
lor the General Court to extend a help- 
ing hand in the reestablishment of public 
worship, or else to expunge the statute 
requiring it Persuaded as those Puritan 
magistrates were, that '* godliness hath 
promise of the life that now is," and that 
the ministry of the word is essential to 
the growth of godliness in any coomiunity, 
they fpnnd no difBculty in appropriating 
from the public treasury the means of 
sustaining that ministry in these disabled 
parishes. Nor were they justly chargeable 
with a perversion of their civil functions 
to a purely religious use. They were 
consulting the interests of the Common- 
wealth, as they honestly understood them. 
' The gospel has evidently been the mak- 
ing of our towns,' they said ; and this 
waa their way of repairing the desolations 
that had swept over them. Among the 
old papers still preserved in the State 
House of Massachusetts, are to be found 
not less than fifty formal applications from 
feeble parishes, presented to the Legisla- 
ture between the years 1693 and 1711, 
and a record of as many appropriations 
fit>m the public treasury — amounting in 
all to about £1,000 — for their relief. 
These cases of necessity were mostiy, but 
not wholly, the result of Indian depreda- 
tions; and this way of meeting them, 
whatever objections may lie against its 
practical application in our day, shows 
how appalling to the guardians of the 
Commonwealth, at that time, were such 
moral destitutions as have since called 
into being the agency of Home Missions. 
Another calamity which befel the 
churches soon after passing these '* perils 
among the heathen," developed still 
another method of relief, from which a 
lesson may be learned. Many intima- 
tions have come down to us through old 
pamphlets. Church records, and traditions, 
leaving no room to doubt that the insti- 
tutions of religion were really endangered 
during the first quarter of the eighteenth 
century, through sheer covetousness — the 
natural outgrowth of spiritual declension. 

8 



When we see the aged Increase Mather 
going down to the grave, in 1728, under a 
sorrowful premonition that '* the glory is 
departing from New-England," and his 
son. Dr. Cotton Mather, following him a 
few years later, in equal heaviness, ^^ lest 
our glorious Lord come quickly, in various 
ways, to remove his golden candlesticks 
from a place which has been in a more 
than ordinary measure illumined with 
them," we may be sure that a malady worse 
than French or Indian wars, was wasting 
the churches. Nor are we left in doubt as 
to its character and origin. With no per. 
ceptible loss of Orthodoxy in their creedst 
they were losing their spiritual life, and 
with it their interest in those means of 
grace on which that life depends. The 
support of the ministry had become a 
burden, which, as it could not be entirely 
thrown off, they sought, under various 
pretexts, to lighten. A depreciated cur- 
rency enabled them to do this without 
violating their civil contract ; for the nom- ' 
inal salary, paid in full, would go but half 
as far as it originally went in sup- 
porting a family. Consequently min- 
isters were quitting their vocatjon for 
lack of a living ; or, what in the 
end proved still worse fpr tl^eir fiocks, 
were supplying their pulpits on the Sab- 
bath, and the farm or workshop during the 
week. Vacancies were becoming more 
numerous and of longer continuance. 
Had there been a Home Missionary So- 
ciety at that time, applications for aid in 
iqaking up inadequate salaries would 
have greaUy increased, on the plea of 
" hard times," — as though when times are 
really hard, it were not proportionally 
hard to raise Home Missionary funds. But 
no help of this sort could be had, as no 
such Society existed. What could be 
done t we ask with emphasis — for, viewed 
from our stand-point and its surroundings, 
there is not a more perplexing question 
connected with Home Missions. The 
thing that was done — and effectually 
done too— is not blazoned on the pages 
of history ; nor is it committed to Chuix^h 



58 



A Lesson from the Past. 



[Jan. 



records with very definite detaOs. Never- 
theless, several old pamphlets relating to 
the subject have come down to us, one of 
which, published anonjmouslj in 1725, 
and found among the collections of the 
Congregational Library Association, gives 
a sufficient answer to our question. It 
was evidentiy written bj a clergyman, 
and, as appears from its preface, at the 
request of a magistrate. His object is to 
**lay open and set home" the people's du- 
ty to support their ministers. And this 
he does in a way which reminds one of 
** the power of Elias," when dealing with 
the sins of Israel, — though he frankly con- 
fesses at the start, that he " don't expect 
to convince all who have low and con- 
temptible thoughts of God's word and 
ministers, or such as are eat up with cov- 
etousness." Statistics are produced to 
verify his estimate of the cost of living — 
letting us into some curious secrets 
about ministerial house-keeping; histori- 
cal facts are quoted to show with what 
penalties Grod is wont to visit the " sin of 
sacrilege" — ^for such he charges upon all 
who rob Grod's ministers of an adequate 
support ; instances are cited of parochial 
generosity, and what has come of it; 
logic, hot and terrible and resistiess as 
lightning, is hurled forth at " the crying 
sin." Viewing this document as a speci- 
men of the treatment then administered 
to churches, which in one sentence are 
described as " perishing without vision," 
and in the next as " eat up with covet- 
ousness," and knowing, as we do from 
other sources of information, the curative 
effects it produced, may we not conclude 
that there are other means beside money, 
to be used in carrj-ing on the work of 
Home Missions — moral means of immense 
power, which pastors and laymen, if not 
without money, yet over and above all 
that money can accomplish, may employ 
with happiest effect At any rate we 
may take courage, from this chapter in 
our early history, to try the experiment in 
cases where money cannot be had, or 
where it has hitherto been employed to 



little or no purpose. Ruinoas beyond re- 
demption would have been the state of 
a large proportion of our Congregational 
churches at that time, if nothing but 
missionary appropriations could have 
saved the perishing — as some of ns, per- 
haps, have been too ready to believe hi 
regard to similar cases now. 

Nearly allied to Church-extension, if not 
an integral part of it, is Church-erection, 
or the building of meeting-houses, whicli 
was also accomplished by our fathers in a 
way suggestive of at least one useful les- 
son. It is truly refreshing to see how sel- 
dom the first hundred and fifty years of 
our ecclesiastical history shows any trace 
of a meeting house debt Almost always 
the building was paid for before it was 
dedicated. Those Puritan fiithers appear 
to have had a horror of the idea of wor- 
shipping Crod in a mortgaged meeting- 
house — ^perhaps for the same pious reason 
that made David unwilling to ofi*er burnt- 
offerings unto the Lord, of that which had 
cost him nothing. The way they todc to 
keep out of debt was a very simple one. 
It was merely to provide such a house as 
they could pay for at the time, and build 
a better when they were able. Usually 
the first place of worship in the town was 
either; a smalL and cheap structure, cor- 
responding with the rude cabins of the first 
settiers, to be replaced before long by a 
larger one ; or else the frame of a building 
sufficientiy large for their future wants was 
raised and covered in at the outset, within 
which the congregation worshipped for a 
season, sitting on rough slab benches, 
and hearing the gospel from a rude 
board pulpit This was as far as the first 
appropriation of funds would go. Anoth- 
er assessment brought about the glazing. 
In due time, but no faster than the funds 
could be afforded, the plastering was ac- 
complished, the pews constructed, and the 
pulpit put in its lofty place, with that 
magnificent sounding-board hung over 
the minister's head, — to the terror of weak 
nerves and to the never-tiring gaze of 
children. Thus was the Sanctuary fin- 



1859*] The American Congregational Union. 59 

islied wnd paid for ; and thus did the age, that the interests of a religions society 

builders bequeath to their children's child- will be promoted by putting up a larger 

ren an enduring, oak-framed house of or finer Church, by several thousands 

worship, suggestive of filial obligations of dollars, than the mem}>ers can afford 

and gratitude, instead of bequeathing a just now, would have had no weight in 

burdensome debt, as we are now accus- those early times. To the unsophisticated 

tomed to do with our new meeting-houses, minds of our fathers the idea of inducing 

which, if it do not ultimately crush the new members to join the society by con- 

flocietjr, becomes a lasting memorial of im- tracting debts for them to pay, would 

providence and injustice. The plea so have seemed strange — ^perhaps ridiculous, 

often and so effectually uiged in this fast if they ever allowed themselves to laugh ! 



THE AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL UNION. 

BT REV. B. W. OILMAN, BANOOR, ME. 

Thx primitive simplicity of Congrega- gradual change within a few years, and 
tioiialism leaves the way open for the the feeling has become more decided, 
members of its churches to employ, with that, without modifying at all the princi- 
pei&ct fireedom, such instrumentalities as pie of voluntary societies, there is need 
they prefer, in furtherance of the work of of d(nng something more than has been 
Christ The theory which makes the local done, for the diffusion of distinctively Con- 
assembly of believers an integral part of gregational principles, and the encourage- 
a visible national body, whose special ment of those who adopt them, 
functions are far different from those of This conviction has led to several im- 
the apostolic churches, has been discarded portant measures, among which may be 
by CongregationalistB; and such depart- mentioned, the Albany Convention of 
ments of labor as are outside the paro- 1852, the fund for building Church edifi- 
chial sphere of a particular Church have ces, the Congregational Library Associa- 
usnally been left to the care of voluntary tion, and the American Congregational 
societies, which from their dependence Union. 

for existence and support upon the sym- The Convention at Albany did much 

pathy and confidence of the churches, to develope and concentrate the interest 

have probably been more fully conformed of the churches, both East and West, in 

to the wishes of their supporters, than efforts to promote the kingdom of Christ 

they would have been under a more com- and the wel&re of men through the Con- 

plex (Hganization. gregational polity ; and the great praoti- 

These are the instrumentalities which cal measure recommended by it, called 

the members of local churches employ forth an enthusiastic response. It was pro- 

fbr the dissemination of religious truth, posed to raise the sum of fifly thousand 

for the maintenance of misuonaries, and dollars for the erection of Congregational 

for beneficence of every kind, in remote Church-edifices at the West, by a simul- 

plaees. taneous contribution upon the first Sab- 

Though under this system of things the bath of January, 185S ; it being under- 
Congregational spirit has tended to coop- stood, at the outset, that one fifth part of 
erative rather than separate denomina- that amount was provided for by the gen- 
tional action, and has given birth to but erous offering which accompanied the first 
few societies under exclusive control of suggestion of this measure in the Conven- 
CoogregationalistB ; there has been a, tion. In accordance with this plan, not 



60 



The American Cmgregatmdl Urdon. 



[Jak. 



fifty thousand only, but upwards of sixty 
thousand dollars were collected and dis- 
bursedf with hardly any deduction for ex- 
penses; and the results have fully shown 
the wisdom of assisting young and feeble 
churches to erect houses of worship, on 
condition of their being completed with- 
out the encumbrance of a debt 

Before the Committee to which die 
oversight of this work was entrusted by 
the Albany Convention, had completed 
their labors, the time seemed to have 
come for some organization more perma- 
nent than a committee, that might more 
efficiently devise and execute measures 
adapted to promote the welfare of the 
churches of the land. And thus, almost 
contemporaneously, and with perfect har- 
mony and sympathy, the Congregational 
Union was formed, and the Library 
Association re-organized, the one in 
New York, and the other in Boston ; in 
May 1858. 

The Constitution of the 'Union' defines 
its objects in the following words : 

" The particular business and objects of 
this Society shall be, to collect, preserve, 
and publish authentic infonnation concern- 
ing the history, condition and continual 
progress of the Congregational churches in 
all parts of this country, with their affil- 
iated institutions, and with their idations 
to kindred churches and institutions in 
other countries: 

** To promote, — by tracts and books, by 
devising and recommending to the public, 
plans of cooperation in building meeting- 
houses and parsonages, and in providing 
parochial and pastoral libraries and in 
other methods, — the progress and well- 
working of the Congregational Church 
polity I 

'* To a£ford increased facilities for mutual 
acquaintance and friendly intercourse and 
helpfulness, among ministers and churches 
of the Congregational order : 

«« And, in general, to do whatever a volim- 
tary association of individuals may do — in 
Christian discretion, and without invading 
the appropriate field of any existing in^tti- 
tution, — for the promotion of evangelical 
knowledge and piety in connection with 



Congregational principles of Church gov- 
emment." 

One object which the ' Union' has aimed 
to accomplish in accordance with this con- 
stitution, and thus far with gratifying suc- 
cess, is the awakening of a new interest 
in the proceedings of the Anniversary 
week in New York. For this end provis- 
ion has been made in successive years for. 
a social gathering, in which the members 
of the * Union' from all parts of the coun- 
try might meet and enjoy the fresh enter- 
change of friendly feeling, and also' for 
public addresses carefully prepared and 
fitted to instruct as well as to interest the 
audiences assembled to hear them. The 
addresses thus made and published, form 
a valuable contribution to the religious 
literature of the denomination. As a 
matter of history, we give the names of 
those who have rendered this service in 
successive years. 

In 1854, three addresses were delivered, 
and subsequently published in a single 
octavo volume. Rev. Prof. Park spoke 
on "The fitness of the Church to the 
constitution of renewed men ;" Rev. T. M. 
Post, of St Louis, on " The Mission of 
Congregationalism at the West;" and 
Rev. Dr. Bacon, on "The validity of 
New England Ordinations." 

In 1855, Rev. Dr. Stearns, of Amherst 
College, delivered a discourse before the 
* Union* on " The Nature and Principles of 
Congregationalism;" and the Rev. Dr. 
Sturtevant of Illinois College, an ad- 
dress on " The Anti-Sectarian Tendency 
of Congregational Church Polity." 

In 1856, the attention of the audience 
assembled was chiefly occupied with the 
subject of building houses of worship 
at the West, and especially in Kansas ; 
on which topic addresses were made 
by Rev. W. I. Budington, D.D., Rev. 
James Drummond, Rev. J. H. Towne, 
Rev. Richard Knight, and Rev. H. W. 
Beechcr. 

In 1857, the address before the * Union' 
was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Shepard, 
of Bangor Theological Seminary, on 



1859.] 



The American OongregaUonal Union. 



61 



*^ The Congregational Pulpit ; " and in 
1858, by Rev. H. D. Kitchell of Detroit, 
on ^* Congregationaliflm and Presbyterian- 
ism compared and contrasted, in their 
working and results." 

The attractions thus presented have had 
their effect upon the attendance at the anni- 
▼enaries in New York, and the address 
and the collation of the Congregational 
Union are now looked upon as essential 
parts in the programme of the week. 

The publication of ^ The American 
Congregational Tear Book" by the * Union' 
has been of great service. The Minutes 
of the various General Associations, in- 
complete at the best, had, previously to 
1854, been the only means by which the 
numbers and strength of the Congrega- 
tional denomination could be proximately 
ascertained ; and those Minutes had but a 
limited local circulation. In the Year 
Book for 1854, prepared with great care 
and expense by the Rev. T. Atkinson, 
then Secretary of the * Union,' an attempt 
was made, for the first time,< we believe, 
since Congregationalism crossed the Hud- 
son, to collect and publish in one volume, 
complete lists of the Congregational min- 
isters and churches in the United States. 
Successive years have given opportunities 
for corrections and enlargement; and 
though perfection is not by any means yet 
attained, the Year Book fills a gap which 
nothing else supplies. 

Additional value is given to this an- 
nual publication by the insertion of ** Bio- 
graphical Notices" of Congregational min- 
isters recently deceased, and by a " Revival 
record." Some valuable essays on Church 
polity and history have also been inserted, 
with engravings of Church edifices, in 
different parts of the country. The vol- 
ame for 1859, making the sixth of the 
leries, will be issued simultaneously with 
the first number of this Quarterly, and 
among other improvements, the catalogue 
of Congregational ministers will show 
when and where each one received his 
Collegiate and Theological education, so 



far as the facts can be ascertained by the 
compiler. 

Beside these measures, the ' Union' has 
kept in view other objects of practical 
benevolence, which are suggested in its 
constitution. It has done something 
towards furnishing pastoral or parish Li- 
braries, as its means allowed, — not by 
publishing new works, but by grants of 
books or money, on certain wise and just 
conditions. It is still engaged in provid- 
ing for the necessities of feeble churches 
throughout the land, for whose existence 
some inexpensive house of worship seems 
indispensable. The multiplication of such 
churches in distant localities, and even in 
some parts of New England, and the pros- 
pect of good to be accomplished by ren- 
dering them assistance, will not allow this 
Society to retire from the work which it 
has undertaken, and in which it is a most 
useful and important auxiliary of the 
Home Missionary Society. 

The resources of the * Union' firom year 
to year have been limited, and indeed 
its work may be considered as, thus far, 
only preparatory to a mord enlarged and 
comprehensive service. For some time 
the burden rested almost entirely upon a 
few men in New York, whose contribu- 
tions wero not made grudgingly, nor of 
necessity, but with the utmost cheerful- 
ness; but as definite objects of benefi- 
cence have been held up to view, the 
churches of the country have begun to 
send in their gifb more Gceely, As the 
* Union' becomes more widely known for 
practical efficiency, it is to be hoped that 
its usefulness will secure for it vastly 
greater contributions for ends which can- 
not be accomplished through any other 
instrumentality. 

The President of the * Union' is the Rev. 
Dr. Bacon of New Haven, and its Corres- 
ponding Secretary is Rev. Isaac P. Lang- 
worthy, late of Chelsea, Ms., an esteemed 
brother, whose energy, wisdom, experience 
and tact admirably fit him for the work to 
which the providence of God has led him 



62 Father 8cmyer. [Jak. 



BEV. JOHN SAWYER, D.D. 

A BIOGRAPHICAL SBLSTCH, BY KEY. ENOCH POND, D.D., BANOOB, MB. 

Tub Rev. John Sawyer was bom in adrantages he had. He entered Dart- 
Hebron, Ct. Oct 9th, 1755. There he month College in 1781, and giadoaled in 
resided until his twelfth year, when he re- 1785. His class consisted of twen^ 
moved with his parents to the town of jronng men ; among fdiom were seTend 
Orford, Coos Co., New Hampshire. Or- who afterwards distingoishod themselves 
ford, now one of the most beautiftil vil- as ministers of Christ Among ti&e most 
lages in New-England, was then a new distinguished were the late Dr. Parish of 
place ; the first white settler having ar- Bjfield, Dr. Kellogg of Portland^ Timo- 
rived there only three years before. Of thy Dickinson of HoUiston, and Mass 
course, the Sawyer family were subjected Shepard of Little Compton, R. I. 
to all the privations and hardships of a On leaving College, Mr. Sawyer had 
new settlement Of thele, the young no hesitancy as to his foture coiine of 
man of whom we speak (for he was then life. He had, years before, consecrated 
young) encountered his full share, for the himself to Christ, and he felt bound aiid 
next twelve years. During this period, a inclined to devote himself to the groat 
Church was established in Orford, a min- work of preaching the gospel. He stad- 
ister settled, and Mr. Sawyer had become ied theology for a time with Pres. Whee- 
a hopeful subject of renewing grace. Of lock, and for a longer time with the late 
the particular exercises of his mind, at the Dr. Spring of Newburyport, and corn- 
time of his conversion, we are not inform- menced preaching within a year after leav- 
ed. His subsequent life showed that the ing College. He preached his first sermon 
change was thorough and abiding. in Orford, the place where he had been 

It was during this period, also, that the brought up, and was earnestly invited to 

war of the Revolution commenced ; and settle there ; but not feeling fully compe- 

in the year 1777, when only twenty-two tent to take upon himself the responsibil- 

years of age, Mr. Sawyer volunteered ities of a pastor, he deferred, for a time, 

under Capt Chandler of Piermont, to re- acceding to the request Having preach- 

pel the advances of Gen. Burgoyne. He ed in different places for nearly two years, 

was at Saratoga, at the surrender of Bur- he returned to Orford, and was ordained 

goyne, and shared in all the rejoicings of pastor of the Church, in October, 1787. 

that eventful day. He made it a condition of his ordination, 

Having had but few advantages of that the Church should relinquish a prac- 

school education up to this time, on his tice, which had been continued from its 

return from the army, Mr. Sawyer ob- first organization, viz : that of baptizing 

tained the consent of his father (for he children on, what was termed, the half 

would do nothing without that) to repair way covenant. 

to Hanover, and enter upon a course of It is evidence of the unexceptionable 

study. Dr. Wheeloek's school at Hano- character of Mr. Sawyer in his earlier 

ver was now in its infancy, having been years, that he found so much favor in the 

chartered as a College only a few years, place where he had been educated. He 

It offered few attractions or advantages to was an exception in this respect to the 

studious young men, yet it was the best general rule, that " a prophet is not with- 

which that part of the country afforded ; out honor, save in his own country." 

and Mr. Sawyer made the best use of the Mr. Sawyer continued in the ministry 



1859.] 



Father Somber. 



63 



at Orford aboat nine yean, when he ac- 
cepted a call to become pastor of a 
ChuTch in Boothbay, Me. PreTious to 
hia installation, the Church at Boothbaj' 
had been PresbTterian ; but at his sug- 
gestion, the fonn of oiganization was 
changed, and it became Congregational 

Mr. Sawjer continned at Boothbay 
about ten years, when, at his own request, 
be was dismiaBed, and remoyed to New- 
CSaitle. His object in going to New^ 
Cilde, seems to haye been two-fold ; first, 
tbat his children might haye the benefit 
of instruction at the Academy ; and sec- 
•on^y, that he might be more at liberty 
to itinerate, and ^ do the work of an £yan- 
geliit," in the more destitute parts of 
Maine. From this period, his labors as a 
Home Missionary commenced; in the 
psweeuAi on of which he trayelled, in all 
Unctions, throng the forests, and among 
the new setdements of Maine, feeding 
and comforting the scattered people of 
God, and urging sinners to become re- 
coDoiled to him. 

About^fifty years ago, Mr. Sawyer first 
eaaoe to Bangor, and established himself 
there as preacher and school-master, with 
a promise of two hundred dollars a year 
jfar his support; — a promise which (owing 
to political hostility) the fathers of the 
town declined to fulfil, but which was 
made «p to him by the efibrts of individ- 
Qab. At this time, there was a great 
mortality in and around Bangor, so that 
he was called to attend more than a hun- 
dred funerals, in the course of a year. 

There was no Church or meeting-house 
in Bangor, when Father Sawyer first 
came there, nor for several years afler- 
warda. Indeed, there was very little ap- 
pearance of religion in the place. The 
writer of this once heard him say, in the 
pni^it of the first Church in Bangor : 
** When I first preached here, I knew but 
one person, within two miles of this place, 
who gave me any evidence of being a 
true Christian." 

But his miniatiy in the Penobscot re- 
gioo was not a firnitlesB one. Though there 



was no Church in Bangor, there was one 
in what is now Brewer, on the opposite 
aide of the river ; and we are told that he 
received nxty persons into this Church, 
and baptized thirty children, in one day. 
Here must have been the first revival of 
religion that was ever enjoyed in this sec- 
tion of country. 

More than forty years ago, Mr. Sawyer 
removed his fiimily to Gariand, a farming 
town about twenty miles finom Bangor, 
where he engaged in his favorite work of 
preaching and teaching, and, except at 
some short intervals. Garland has been 
the home of the family ever since. His 
wife was Rebecca Hobart of Plymouth, 
Mass. She died twenty-two years ago, at 
the age of seventy-six. Mr. Sawyer 
died October 14th, 1858, at Bangor, 
aged one hundred and three years and 
five daysl His fiineral was attended 
on the Sabbath following, by an immense 
concourse of people. Not less than three 
thousand persons passed, one afler anoth- 
er, by his coffin to take their last look of 
his venerable form. His remains were in- 
terred, the next day, beside those of his 
wife at Garland, there to await the resur- 
rection of the just 

In looking back on the life of Mr. Saw- 
yer, or perhaps we ought to say, and to 
have said all along, Doctor Saw^-er ; (for, 
at a late annual meeting, the Trustees of 
his Alma Mater very appropriately con- 
ferred on him the degree of Doctor of 
Divinity) the first thiog that strikes us is 
his great age. In this fleeting, dying 
world, we look with wonder upon a man 
who has outiived three entire gener- 
ations, — almost half the time since New 
England was settied; whose memory 
reaches back to the days of Whitfield, of 
President Edwards, and of the old French 
war ; who has seen what are now some of 
the most thickly settled parts of New 
England covered with dense forests, and 
inhabited only by savage beasts, and sav- 
age men. We wonder at the tenacity of 
life thus exhibited ; ** that the harp of 
thousand strings should keep in tune so 



64 



Faiher Sawyer. 



[Jar. 



long." We wonder the more at this, in 
the case of Dr. Sawyer, because his life 
was an unquiet one — full of stirring and 
often painful incidents— filled up, to a great 
extent, with toils, anxieties, exposures and 
hardships. Let us learn from this and 
similar cases, that so long as God has a 
work for us to do, he can sustain us to 
perform it ; that, till we reach the limit he 
has assigned us, we are immortal; but 
that, so soon as we touch that fated limit, 
we live no longer. Though some of the 
old patriarchs lived almost a thousand 
years, they died. Though Father Sawyer 
lived 103 years and five days, he too has 
gone. And when we reach the bound 
which God has set us, we shall go also. 
O let us be ready ! The Lord prepare us 
for that day 1 

•In contemplating the character of Dr. 
Sawyer, it is evident, first of all, that he 
was a man of high aims^ — of enlarged and 
comprehensive views. He was so, natural- 
ly ; else, at the age of twenty-four, and 
in face of the most appalling hindrances, 
he had never left the paternal home, and 
encountered the difficulties of acquiring 
a public education. Why did he not con- 
tent himself, like many others of his own 
age, to dwell among the stumps and log 
cabins of Orford ; break up a piece of 
new land, and make for himself a farm ; 
and enjoy the comforts of quiet, rural life ? 
He might have been useful and happy in 
this way. Undoubtedly he would have 
been. But he aimed at something higher. 
His mental instincts admonished him that 
he was made for something more than 
this. He loved his country, — loved his 
race ; and he felt constrained to attempt 
something to elevate the one, and bless 
the other. 

We have said that the aims of Dr. Saw- 
yer were naturally high. But when these 
views and aims had all been sanctified by 
the grace of Christ, and consecrated to 
the purposes of His cause and kingdom, 
he was impelled by a new and noble mo- 
tive to ** expect great things," and " at- 
tempt great things." Now he must do val- 



iantly for Christ He most labor ear- 
nestly for the advancement of his king- 
dom. His field was the toorld ; and the 
world must, if possible, be made to feel 
his influence, and become the better for 
his having lived in it 

Dr. Sawyer was a laborious man ; and 
his labors, in general, were wisely directed. 
He did not attempt to do impoBsible 
things, — things away off in the fields of 
romance, where '* distance lends enchant- 
ment to the view ;" but, like Nehemiah's 
builders, he labored ''over against his 
own house." He studied to know what 
might reasonably be expected of Attn;- 
what good could be done by such a man 
as he was, in the sphere of life in which 
he was called to move ; and this good he 
attempted, with all his heart 

The public life of Father Sawyer fell 
at a most important period — at a forming 
period — when Christian churches and 
ministers began to wake up to a sense of 
their responsibilities, and all those good 
institutions were springing into life, which 
have for their object the conversion of the 
world to Christ; and there is scarcely one 
of them which did not find an efficient 
mover and helper in him. He aided 
in forming the first Missionary Soci- 
eties — those which looked to the benefit 
of the new settlements in our own coun- 
try. He was a pioneer in the service of 
these Societies; and in their service he 
labored more than fifty years — some three- 
fourths of his whole ministerial life. .Un- 
der the direction of these Societies, and in 
connection with hb worthy compeer. 
Father Sewall, he traced and retraced the 
wild woods of Maine, leaving scarcely a 
plantation unvisited, or a solitary dwelling 
where his face was not known. These 
journeys were commonly performed on 
horseback ; and for nothing was he more 
remarkable than punctuality in meeting 
appointments. At one time, it became 
necessar}' for him to ride in a violent snow- 
storm. His friends admonished him not 
to go ; but he would not desist He or- 
dered his horse and set out Afler going 



tttftt; ind on behig afiked wb]r be did not conflkiefiiMd letigth, and with great peitn 

go on, be fepiied: •'The tioatlief ii M» neney ; with a styength of voice and ea- 

h^far ike bemt/' ergy of ac^n boyend that Of ttiortt nunii* 

It was tbeis Tisita to the de^ti^ate, mote ten in middle life* 
etpedaJHf in the NotliiOM and EasteM father SaWyet loVed the Gospel mio^ 

pafti of Maitte, nAddi impelled Di^. San^ istiy, and deemed it his higher honor to 

yer to think of increased fiudlitiee for fait* be adambaflsaderof Cbzist He loved aB 

niAing a siit»p]}r of filkhlbl ministers In the (f ti^ of the liiinisei^, and eiigaged in 

oooaeotioft tnfli a few otheri^ be early them fiom the heart, as nnto the Lord, 

p fT cj e ete d what ii now the Theelogieal and not to men^ He loved and honored 

Seminary in Baagor; pfocnred a charter the Bible, and made it the stody of hi^ 

te it; ooUeoted fbnds, and got it into sue lilb^ He conld rspeat no small part of it 

ciamAil operalkm. From the firtt, be batf from memory ^ and when hi^ sight and 

been a Trastee of the Seminary f has a^ hearing bad §b failed^ that be 66xAd no 

teamed moat of its anniversaries, and otiier loikgerread it, he refre^Aied hi« ^od! hy 

litaptingi Of the Board ; baa watched over singing ftmiliar hymotf, and poiiKlerfn^ 

it with a patansal solicitiide, and rejoiced and repeating the predOirt word of God. 
in all the good wlncb it has been enabled feather Sawyer preached, not merdy 

t» aeocxii^aL Long will the friends of' because he tbongbt it hi^ dnty^, but be^ 

tlM SemiJUtfy bafte occasiotf to remember cause be loved to preach^ He loved to 

Father Sawyer, as one of its irst movertf^ staiid np on God's behalf, and publish hi^ 

Iff most efficient helpeta^ and ita most messages of warning and d* mercy in tbo 

standftsr friends ears of goilty men. He preached as Ion jf 

Dr. Sawyer was the friend and patfon , as his limbs would bear him to the placer 
not only of theological edacation, but of of meeting. He preached ^veral timetf, 
edoeatidti generallyr He had been him* and with great eamestneas, alter he was k 
self » teacher, as well as preacher ; and hundred years old. 
be laved and honored the common schooL No small part of tiie ictvice Of every 
He toiled, and talked, and eiterted him* Gospel minister l» prayer; and woe to th^ 
self to the utmost to fbrnish a supply of man who finds himself in the place of a 
piooa and competent teachets to go among minister, who has no heart to pray. But 
the n«w Mttlers c^ Maine, and instruct Dr. Sawyer had a heart to pray. Ho 
tilrirchUdtBn. Some yeai^ ago the writer loredtopray. He "prayed to God al" 
of this met him in the porch of one of Cfor ways, with all prayer and supplication in 
obttii^ea, when he grasped my hand, the Spin t** AlmoM his last audible wordd' 
lodBad me fUl in the &ce, and said: were words of prayer — confessing his dnsj 
** Biotfier P.y have you a drop of Pilgrim and crying to God fbr mercy. 
Uodd itt yoor veins ? " I told him I waa Dr. Sawyer was in the habit of preach- 
a descendant of the FilgrnSiS, and hoped I ing, not only in the pulpit, but in ^e 
had some left. ** Well, then, do you not street, and from house to house. No per- 
pity the poor children, who have none to son conld be with him long without bear- 
teach them to read the Bible, and show ing words of instruction from his lips. 
them what they must do to be saved ?" Impenitent persons, especially, if they^did 
All who have been acquainted with him not wish to be spoken to on the subject of 
will remember that this was one of his religion, had no alternative but to avoid 
fiKTorite tspica of coBveiMtion, on which his presence. To his kind physician, who 
he dwelt in the house and by the way, was not a professor of religion, while be* 
■tti^^ down; and linng up. Hisbiatpab* was pdite and thankful, as bO was W 
b» efiM- warn ia^ asklMi m eompma/fiti m€tf Otte^ h^ efleti dreipjf^ irdm dt 



66 The Office of Deacon. [Jah. 

warning : " Remember, Doctor, it is not yer was Yiated by tbe Tenerable Dr. 

too late yet to seek an interest in Christ" Gardiner Spring. It was while Dr. Spring 

^ I thank you. Doctor, for all your kind- was a child that Dr. Sawyer studied Di- 

ness ; and now don't forget heaven." yinity with his father, and often held lit- 

Dr. Sawyer was a great friend and tie Gardiner in his arms. At the dose of 
promoter of revivals of religion. He the interview, Dr. Spring kneeled down 
prayed for them ; he labored instrument- before the patriarch, and craved a part- 
ally to promote them ; he rejoiced in them ing blessing. 

with a joy unspeakable and fidl of glory. But we cannot speak further of the 

The great awakening of the last year was character and doings of this venerable 

the rejoicing of his aged heart He saw man. He has gone fixun us here below — 

it in a fulfilment of ancient prophecies, gone, as we trust, to brighter worlds. Yet 

and believed assuredly that the fulness of his influence pn the earth has by no means 

the Gentile world was coming in. ceased. It stUl lives, and will long live, 

In the summer of his hundredth year, in his memory and example. It lives in 

Dr. Sawyer was invited by the town au- those seeds of holy truth which he has 

thorities of Hebron, Ct, his native place, scattered so widely over the land, and 

to make them a visit He did so. . On which, though long buried, may yet spring 

the Sabbath afler his arrival, he preached up and bear precious fruit It lives, too, 

in the Congregational meeting-house, and in the prayers of almost a hundred years, 

in the morning, before service, he admin- all garnered up in heaven, and yet to be 

istered baptism to four children on the answered on the earth* It is said of the 

Green, before the Church. In his address blessed dead, who die in the Lord, that 

to the people, he said : " A hundred years '* they rest fh)m their labors, and their works 

ago, or nearly, my father and mother do follow them," They not only follow 

brought me in their arms to be baptized them to heaven, and become the measure 

on this very spot" of their endless reward, l)ut they follow 

From Hebron, Dr. Sawyer went to them on the earth, in trains of good in- 
New York to vi^t a grandson. While fluences which they had started, and 
staying there, a company of ladies called which may not cease till time is no more, 
upon him, and sang to him several hymns. It is thus that Father Sawyer, though 
to which he listened with great pleasure, dead, is yet alive. Though his literal 
When they were through, he rose and voice is hushed in silence, he yet speaks, 
said : *'*' Well young ladies, you have sung and will continue to speak, through the 
to me, and now I will sing to you,'' and coming ages. 

striking up the old hymn, " Blow ye the May we all be followers of him, aa he 

trumpet, blow," he sang it through with a followed Christ, and so be prepared to go 

clear voice, and without hesitation or ap- and meet him, where days and years, 

parent difficulty. ages and centuries, are all swallowed up 

During his stay in New York, Dr. Saw- in the eternity of heaven. 



■-♦■ 



THE OFFICE OF DEACON. 

BT BEV. H. K. DEXTEB. 



Thb account of the origin of this office multiplied, there arose a murmuring of 

is given in the sixth chapter of the Acts the Grecians [converts] against the He- 

of the Apostles. It is there stated that brews [converts], because their widows 

** when the number of the disciples was were neglected in the daily minirtrmtioD, 



1859.] 



The Office of Deacon. 



67 



[of alms.] Then the twelve called the 
maltitade of the disciples unto them, and 
said, It is not reason that we should leave 
the [preaching of the] Word of God and 
serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look 
ye out among you seven men of honest 
report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, 
whom we may appoint over [set apart to] 
this bnnness. But we will give ourselves 
continually to prayer. And the saying 
pleased the whole multitude: and they 
choee Stephen, a man full of the Holy 
Ghost, and Philip, and Frochorus, and 
Kicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and 
Nicolas, a prosel3rte of Antioch, whom 
they set before the apostles: and when 
tiiey had prayed, they laid their hands on 
them," [in token of their consecration to 
this woik]. 

Three things are here self-evident — 
▼iz! 

1. That these seven were appointed to 
oversee the temporal affairs of the Church, 
and particularly its charities to its poor 
members. 

2. That they were chosen by free suf- 
frage of the Church. 

8. That they were consecrated to their 
office by prayer and the laying on of the 
apostles' hands. 

It is true that these seven are never 
called 'deacons' in the Acts, but only 
*the seven;' but this appears to have 
grown out of the fact that the office was 
so fiuniliarly known as not to need na- 
ming; as the apostles were called *the 
twelve.' Paul writes (Phil, i: 1.) to the 
saints at Phillippi, <* with the bishops [pas- 
tors] and deacons.** And, instructing 
Timothy, (1 Tim. iii : 1-15) in regard to 
the qualifications of the officers of the 
Church, he says, " likewise must the dea- 
cons be grave, not double-tongued, not 
given to much wine, not greedy of filthy 
lucre ; holding the mystery of the faith in 
a pure conscience. And let these also first 
be proved ; then let them use the office of 
a Deacon, being found blameless." Here 
it is true that the specific duties belonging 
to the office, as established in the 6th of 



Acts, are not named ; but it is, obviously, 
because they were so commonly under- 
stood as not to require it, and so 
Paul — assuming that every one knew 
what was the fiinction of a Deacon — 
proceeded to speak of the qualifications 
which ought to be possessed by him, to 
secure the due discharge of the duty of 
his office. 

It does not appear that the Scriptural 
office of a Deacon included the idea of 
giving spiritual instruction.^ It is true 
that Stephen addressed the people on 
spiritual themes, (Acts vii : 2-53), and 
that Philip preached and baptized, (Acts 
viii : 12, 86, 40). But Stephen's address 
was not akin to a sermon, nor was there 
anything about it to indicate that, in vir- 
tue of being a Deacon, it belonged to him 
to preach. And Philip is expressly sadd 
(Acts xxi : 8) to have been an * Evangel- 
ist ;' which would imply that he had re- 
ceived the preaching office in addition to 
his Diaconate. Or if it be insisted that 
both he and Stephen preached when they 
were simply deacons, we think it would 
be a fair reply to urge that, if they did so, 
they did it in virtue of their Christianity, 
and not of their Deaconship. That was a 
time when the entire membership of the 
Church went everywhere preaching the 
Word.* And we think the facts — ^that 
their appointment was expressly and solely 
for another purpose, and that Paul, in 
writing of their needful qualifications, 
makes no mention of the ability to 
preach— settle it that they were not in- 
tended to be preaching officers. 

It has been urged by Mosheim, Kuinoel, 
Olshausen, Meyer, Whately, and others, 

1 IgnatiaB calls tbem " /?pa}/idra>y /cat irorcDv 
StCLKOvot "—deacons of meats and drinks. (Egristola 
ad TreUlianoSf II.) 

2 " Primum enim omnes docebant, et omnes bap- 
tizabant, qaibascnmque diebus vel temporibos fnis- 
set occasio ; neo enim Pbilippos tempus qaaesirit, 
aut diem quo ennaebum baptisaret, neqoe jcjuniiim, 
interposoit/' &c. ;— at first all taught, and all bap- 
tised, on whaterer days and times there was oppor* 
tnnity ; nor did Philip seek for a time or a day in 
which he might baptise the eunuch, nor did h« 
require preyious fiisting, &o. {UUary of Roma^ 
Opp, in ISphet,^ Tom. II.) 



«$ 



TM OjSm ^ J>imm. 



(Ja». 



tbat traees pf th^ DaapooAtp unp ditepr- 
erable in the fiftb chapter of die Acts, an<} 
^t this electioii of t)i9 spven could not 
have been the origin of the office. They 
jdiink thai the " young men " who carried 
put the bodies of Ananias and Sa^hira 
were deacons. And &ey refer to Luke 
{xxii : 26) and 1st Peter (v : 5), where 
the same word (i^ec&re^;) is used, witli 
apparent reference to some permanent 
office like that of the Deaconship. Bu^ 
Pavidson, ( Con^egational Lecture, 13ih 
Series)^ has sufficiently shown that this is a 
ymstake, and that the natural reference is 
merely to those who are young and active, 
^d therefore more likely to proffer their 
assistance. 

In the speedy common that came in 
ipppn the early Church, the Diaconate be- 
came perverted, with every thing else, an4 
was elevated to a sub^ministry, and, to this 
day, the hierarchal churches have made 
their deacons the third order of the clergy. 
The Puritans rediscovered and reintro^- 
dueed the office as it was understood by 
the apostles and Primitive Church. 
John Bobinson, (Works Vol. 2, p. 364.J 
in answer to Bernard's invective against 
those who separated from the English 
Church, says : " you want [i. e. you lack] 
the office of Deaconship, which Christ 
hath left by his aposdes for the collection 
and distribution of the Church's alms, and 
have entertained under the true name, a 
felse and forged (^ce of half priesthood, 
perverting and misapplying to the justifir 
cation of it, such Holy Scriptures as are 
left for the calling and ministration of 
true and lawful deacons in the Church 
of Christ ; so is there not that care for the 
bodily welfare one of another amongst 
you in any measure, whereof yea boast.'' 
Hooker (Survey of the Summe of Church' 
Discipline. 1648. Part 2. p, 35) says, 
the office of a Deacon "is to attend ta- 
bles, that hath nothing to do with Pastor's 
or Doctor's place, either of preaching or 
administering Sacraments. But this if 
to attend tables, (Aeti viiB), 1£ any 
man shaQ say, they majr atte;Qi4 hotii: 



the practice ind pvofcam fff the Apos^ 
will Qonfiite and opn^mnd iNieh It peiipei^ 
Acts 6. We will give ounfelve^ fo th4 
word and to prayer. They cpnoeived and 
concluded, they could npt do both, b9$ 
Ihey shoMld wrong both. If the Appetles^ 
who were extraordinary persons, coiil4 
potj ahall men ^ OTdinary f^biUti(99 he 
aufficient to undeigo both ?" 

John Cotton ( Way of th^ Churches </ 
!iew Eng. 1645, p, 38J says» ^ Deaconf 
therefore wee reserve in pur Chuiches, 
but without distinction of pre-eminence of 
pome of them above oUiers ; much lesse 
over the ministers and elders: neither 
doe wee imploy them about the Ministry 
of the Woni, and to prayer, and to serv^ 
tables also ; and therefore the worke whidi 
the Apostles laid doune, and which tibf 
deacons were elected and ordained to 
take up, was the serving of tables, to wi^ 
the serving of all the tables which per- 
tained to the Church to provide for, which 
lire the Lord's Table, the tables of the 
ministers (or elders) of the Church, an4 
jhe tables of the poore brethren, whether 
of their own body, or strangers," &e. 
Cambridge Platform (Chap, vii : sec. 3, 4) 
says, " The office and work of a Deacon, 
is to receive the offerings oi the Churchi 
gifts given to the Church, and to keep the 
treasury of the Church, and therewith te 
serve tiie tables which the Church is to 
provide for; as the Lord's Table, the 
tables of the ministers, and of such as are 
in necessity, to whom they are to ^^ 
tribute in simplicity. The o4^ce, theser 
fore, being limited unto the temporal 
good things of tiie Church, it eiLtends not 
to the attendance upon, and the adminis- 
tration of, the spiritual things thereof, a« 
the Word and Sacraments, and the like.*' 
Such, for substance, has been the undeiv 
standing of the New England Churchea 
to the present time. 

Dr. Hopkins says ( Works, Vol. 2, p. 82^, 
^ There are other officers in the Church, 
called deacons, who have the cm^ of die 
temporal worldly concerns of the Churcht*^ 
JBB. Dr. I>wight pay9 (Wi/^k^t Fet ^ 



1859.] 



Th$ Office ^ Pudi^on, 



69 



¥iMrm9 n^peds, to b# MiAitiwitB 4e minif' 
(era," and iMlgqef thai in the idMeoee ef 
the Fastoii, tiiey should be moderatoff 
of the Church. Dr. Woods (Wonks, YoL 
8, Lee, CXXIL)^ takes much the same 
▼iew; which may be considered the 
general understanding of the Congrega- 
tional chuxchei of the preeent time. The 
only practical difference of tentiment of 
iHnch we are aware, is in regard to the 
tenoie of the o£Eice ; some churches having 
intiodoced an abbreviated term of onef 
ihree, or five years ; while the majority 
elaet fi>r Hie. Scripture, at first gUnce, 
peemfi to fiivor the latter course, yet there 
It so precept in regard to it, nor even 
my eerUdntyihgX < the seven' were chosen 
fo life, or served fi>r life. The weight of 
precedence is decidedly with those who 
woold eleet ibr li&, yet, on onr first prin- 
riples, it most be left for each Church to 
decide whether, in its own case, reasons 
most for wisely departing fiom die old 
path, in this respect 

It was formerly cnstomary to induct 
newly elected deacons into office by a 
ppecial solemnity of ordination, and the 
neord of the 6th of Acts was appealed to 
in proof of its propriety and necesdty. 
GHBliridgB Platform recommended such 
*^ coorae, yet added that if the Church 
had no mders, the ceremony might be 
peifonMd by ^ brethren orderiy chosen 
by tiie Churoh thereto." To this it has 
heen objected ' that it is by no means ceis 
tun that tiie Apostles, in lajring their 
hands on the seven, meant anything like 
what we nnderstand by ordinition, inas* 
■ioch at it was a custom which had come 
down from the earliest ages, to lay hands 
on one fi>r whom prayer was offered. 
And, as a matter of fact, the custom has 
extensively fallen into disuse. 

J I I I ■ ■ ! II J I 

1 The reftdtr who deiiraf to ma » brUf, jet thorough 
diKiiwion €€ this nuittar, Is reftrred.to a Tery ablo 
*Ba^of«," pnpeBtsd to tho Ksstx Stnot Ohiurah in 
Boftim, Mi^ 19, IMa-HUidf ntood to bo from ^ 
ptB of BoT. Joseph Treey— whkh is pablished in the 
▲ppendiz of Pn]i«h«rd*i ** Vieyf qf Cbnfre^ oriofi^ 
6n,» JMif.e/180e. 



The questtoo may oec«r« in this eon" 
nection, what was meant by Panl when 
he said (l rm).iii: 13,) that ^they that 
have used the office of a Deaoon well, puxv* 
phase to themselves a good degree and 
great boldness in the faith, which is in 
Christ Jesus." This has often been cited 
in proof that the Diaconate is the lowest 
round of an official ladder on which ' the 
good degree ' is some higher place. The 
word (j^adfidy) translated * degree,' may 
mean either an advance in official posi- 
tion, or in personal character, happiness 
or influence. And all which it necessa- 
fHf suggests is that the Deacon who exezv 
^ed his office well would secure, in some 
way, an increase of some good thing, con^ 
nected with great boldness in the faith. 
The best commentators consider the sense 
exhausted by the interpretation, that the 
good Deacon will secure additional re* 
ppectability and influence in the Churchy 
and a higher expectancy of blessednesi 
beyond the grave. ( Vide Kendrick*9 0^ 
thawen^ VoL VL,pp, 77-80.) 

It is in place here to add a word in 
reference to the passage (1 Tim* iii: lit) 
which is often supposed to refer to dea* 
pons' wives. This is translated *^ even so 
inust their [deacons'] wives be grave," &o. 
It literally reads ** even so must the women 
be sober" (yvvdiMag cbaa<;rai; uefiy&s)' It 
is obvious that the Greek makes no,direct 
refisrence to deacons in connection with 
these * women.' Cotton Mather said, (Rai, 
Dis., 131,) ^^'Tis often inquired, when 
deacons are chosen, whether their wives 
are such as directed ; but there is a misr 
take about the meaning of the text in 
1 Tim. iii : 11. It is gunaikes, women ; 
i. e., the deaconesses, or widows ; and there 
is not one word about deaqons' wives, any 
more than the pastor's." Owing, proba* 
bly, to the peculiar seclusion imposed up*» 
on Eastern females, which might have 
made it difficult, or impossible, for the 
deacons to perform the functions of their 
office among the sisters of the Churchy 
there appears to have been a class of fhr 
male officers elected to the same workt 



70 The Caryregatumai Library Assaciatian, [J as. 

called < deaconesses.' Phoebe (Rom. xvi. the passage nnder consideration alladesto 

1,) is supposed so haye been a deaconess, them, or, at all eyents, does not allude 

So Paul (1 Tim. t : 9-15,) seems to refer specifically to the deacons' wives, as — ^in 

to the same office. And Cotton Mather the common Tendon — ^it appears to da 
was probably right in his conclusion, that 



-•-■ 



THE CONQEBGATIONAL LIBRAKT ASSOCIATION : 

rrS ORIGIN AND OBJECTS. 

BT ITS CO&BESFONDING 8BCRETART. 

In the words of its first Annual Report, pleased to traduce their piety by calling 

" this institution originated in a conviction it bigotry, and to inform us that their her- 

that the interests of Congregationalism oism did not spring from their religious 

and of Christianity in general, would be faith, but shot up in spite of it, we, who 

advanced by collecting into one accessi- claim to hold the same faith, unable Intel- 

ble place whatever printed or manuscript ligently to contradict it, were fain to ac- 

memorials of the New England Fathers cept the assertion in respectful alence, 

are yet extant, and also such documents « And only wish, 

of the present age as will be of historical ^ dutooiw som, our Ikthen wew more irtoB." 

value in the ages to come." Although But on the 5th of February, 185 1-, 
individuals had thought on the subject, a few earnest minds came together in 
and had even gone so far as to put their Boston, to compare views on the subject, 
thoughts before the public, it was not till and see if nothing could be done to 
1851, that Uiis conviction first worked itself change this condition of things. The re- 
out in the form of an associated effort suit was, the appointment of a committee 
among the Orthodox Congregationalists to draft a plan of associated action, which, 
of New England. The almost stupid on the following week, (February 12,) was 
indifference with which they had regarded adopted as the Constitution of the Con" 
the destruction that was coming upon the gregational Library Association. Among 
books, pamphlets, manuscripts, records, the foremost of these few earnest minds* 
and whatever else might serve to illu»- was the late Prof. Bela B. Edwards, whose 
trate the character and achievements of " Memoir " by Prof E. A. Park, prefixed 
their world-renowned fathers, is truly to his ** Writings," contains the following 
amazing, as we now look back upon it testimony of the lively interest which he 
A few names like those of Cotton Mather, took in promoting it Referring to the 
€rov. Hutchinson, Thomas Prince, repre- examination he made of the Red Cross 
sent the individuals — scarcely more than Library, on his visit to London in 1846, 
one in a century — who had laid this sub- his biographer says, '* After making an 
ject to heart, or taken any pains to arrest accurate survey of its various objects, 
this ruin. And there was a correspond- Mr. Edwards resolved to propose a simi- 
ing ignorance and misconception among lar institution to the Congregationalists of 
the mass of our people, respecting the New England." With this view he pub- 
practices and principles of the Puritans — lished in the Bibliotheca Sacra a detailed 
a condition of things sufficientiy humiliat- plan of such a Library, and the reasons 
ing, to say nothing of the loss which mor- for its establishment ** The proposal at- 
ality and religion suffered therefrom, tracted the notice of some opulent lay- 
Whenever a historian, or politician, or men. Hon. Samuel T. Armstrong exert- 
writer of a newspaper paragraph was edhimself in its favor, and in his last con- 



1859.] 



The Congr^atmal Library Asaoeiaiion. 



71 



Teraatioa with Mr. Edwards expressed his 
hope aad belief that the Old Soath 
Church of Boston would aid the enter- 
prise liberally. After Governor Arm- 
strong's death, Mr. Edwards, in connec- 
tion with a friend, proposed the formation 
of the Congregational Library Associa- 
tion, with the hope that such a Society 
might execute his fiivorite plan." [YoL 
L pp. 259-271.] Were he with us to- 
day he would say that the result as far 
exceeds the hopes then cherished, as it 
comes short of the possibilities now seen. 

During the first two years the member- 
ship was entirely clerical, and was con- 
fined to Boston and its Ticinity, — ^having 
for its object not only the founding of 
** a Library of books, pamphlets, manu- 
scripts, and whatoTer else shall serve to 
illustrate Puritan history and New Eng- 
land theology," but also the cultivation of 
^sacred literature, systematic Theology 
and History, both of the Christian Church 
in general, and of the New England 
churches in particular.*** After various 
changes in the working of the system, it 
gradually became apparent that, with 
some other slight modifications, the essen- 
tial idea was capable of indefinite expan- 
sion, and was quite too important to be 
longer restrained within so narrow a 
sphere; that a bond <^ Congregational 
union might be formed on this basis 
among our widely dispersed members, 
both ministers and laymen, which would 
have the two-fdd effect of joining them in 
closer ties of amity, and of attaching them 
to " the old paths" — ^** the good way** — 
in which their fathers walked and found 
** rest to their souls.'* 

Into these views the Pastoral Associa- 
tion of Massachusetts — then thirty years 
old, and of unabated vigor — entered 
heartily, and proposed to lay aside its 
clerical constitution, that it might be 
meiged with the other, in this new and 
extended organization. By the concurrent 
action of both bodies the subject was giv- 
en in charge to an able committee, May 
5, 1853| who, soon after, reported in favor 



of a reconstruction on the plan above 
named. In accordance with that report, 
and pursuant to a notice publicly given, 
a laige number of ministers and other 
gentlemen, representing all the New- 
England States and many other parts of 
the country, convened in the Old South 
Chapel, Boston, on the 25th of May (An- 
niversary week) and with great unanim- 
ity formed the present Conobeoatiok- 
Ax Library Association. The name 
which the committee had proposed for the 
re-oi^anized body was '* The American 
Congregational Union,'* as more express- 
ive of the wider sphere which the enter- 
prise was henceforth to filL But inas- 
much as, before the set time for consum- 
mating the act arrived, it was found that 
another Association of that name, similar 
in some of its features, though entirely 
different in its leading objects, had been 
formed at New York, there was a cheer- 
ful return to the original name, with the 
calm pursuasion that, whatever title it 
might take, its achievements would deter- 
mine its character and scope. To these, 
therefore, the public must look for the 
true idea of the Congregational Library 
Association. 

An Act of Incorporation was obtained 
from the Legislature of Massachusetts, 
bearing date April 12, 1854, which, with 
an addition, passed April 14, 1856, au- 
thorises the holding of real and personal 
estate to the amount of $300,000, in fur- 
therance of the objects of the Association. 

The membership of the body — " com- 
posed of ministers and laymen connected 
with the Orthodox Congregational denom- 
ination, paying each one dollar," [See Art 
III., Constitution] — already exceeds two 
thousand, with a continual increase ; and 
they are distributed over twenty-one 
States and Territories of our Republic, be- 
sides a considerable number in the neigh- 
boring British Provinces. The fraterniz- 
ing, harmonizing, co-operating influence 
exerted on the Denomination, thus held in 
brotherhood by no ecclesiastical liga- 
ments, but by affinities springing from a 



73 



Th$ Cv^y^giOisMl I^ 



[Jak. 



oMMfftQ flittli Md % coBMoa moeiay^ b 
iiotfh« lM«t iait>ti!rtiAC foralt to be l0ol> 
ed fbn It i» the amm kflaeuod, ia kiiidf 
tlial ibUoWi i» feitb ftotk tiie old betttk-* 
stone and fiunily Altar of oaf o^dhood's 
memories; and, MMnge to tell, getsth^ 
ftflter hold d* itt) tbe far&er ire go from^ 
tiiat heaitk-0toflie and altar^ 

The Library, at the predent tiitte, cofi^ 
tiuns about 5.000 bonnd volomes, 16,006 
pamphlets, more than 1,000 manmik^riptB, 
and a small collection of portraits, with 
a soffieiency of newspapers, magazines, 
(piarterUes &c., to constitute a respecta- 
ble reading-room. Nearljr all of these are 
donations or deposits fiom membei^ ; for 
tiie funds of the Association do not yet 
idlow the accomplishment <^ what had 
been designed, in thb and other depart-* 
ments of effort While these collection^ 
are all riduable, not a few of them are 
rare, and of great intrinsio worth, as will 
be shown by occasional notices in the 
Bibliographical department of this Jour- 
nal. Probably there is no place in New 
England where statistical information-^ 
particularly such as relates to the Con- 
gregational churches— can be found in 
equal fulness ; for, in addition to its own 
appropriate store, it has also, on deposit, 
the entire Library of the American Sta- 
tistical Society ; and both are constantly 
veceiying accessions. 

The written exercises at the Quarterly 
meetings, and also the Annual Discourses 
in May, afford fine opportunities for ex- 
ploring old paths, and recorering lost 
treasures, and establishing the truth or 
falsity of opinions put forth in our times 
on men and things of other days, as well 
as for discussing matters pertinent to t^e 
present wants of the Denomination. Some 
faluable contributions have thus been 
made to the common stock of knowledge, 
which will be given to the world in occa- 
sional volumes, as such materials and the 
means of printing them shall aceumulate ; 
for, in developing the various objects con- 
templated, the press will be an essential 
sudliarT; 



Bttt the gveat aoldei^eiieiit of th« Ccm^ 
gfegacioilal Library Afeoctiatioti, thus fo, 
is the pitrdiase of a building On Ghanoey 
street, Boston, to be used, (or nther tobe 
displaeed by another and khrger, whidi 
shdl be used) First, as a safe plaoe of de^ 
pont £n tiie library Had its appufte* 
naneesi Second^ as a Congrs^onal 
Home, where t^ seattend aMo^n of 
tiie fiunily may occasionally meet^ a» 
atound the old aiicestitd fireside, for con- 
sultation on matters of common Or special 
interest : Third, as the head-quarters of 
Benevolent Societies, centering in Bos- 
ton^ whose offices will thus be brought 
under one and the same loof, to the 
great convenience of the public^ ae 
well ai their own ; and last, thoogl^ not 
least, as a source of income for carrying 
out the demgns of the Association, witiioot 
calling yearly on the puUic for aid ; ad an 
institution dT this kind cannot do« It in 
an ascertained fact, that the rents now 
paid into private pockets fbr oflke-room 
by those Societies only which have ex- 
pressed a wish to be thus acoommodatedy^ 
are equal to the interest on $100,000. 
The ownership of such a building (ia 
other respects a necessity,) becomes, ia 
this view of it, an ^ndwomeni / and will 
answer the additional purpose of a fhoMk' 
ment^ in honor of men and women more 
worthy of such honor than the heroes of 
Bunker Hill. £very brick, every gran-' 
ite block, in the walls of this edifice, asita 
object becomes known to the pubHo, will 
remind the passer-by of Christian heroes, 
"whose faith, and hope, and nnghty 
deeds," had mote to do in giving birth to 
our great Republic, than the battles of 
the Revolution; whose godly examples 
and religious teachings, even now afford 
a stronger brace to the body politic than 
our fleets and armies ; and which are ca^ 
pable of exerting the same conservadve 
inflneuce as idx into the future as we are 
capable of transmitting them, through thitf 
organized agency. 

The purchase of the late Judge Jack- 
iOB^i mansioa hoase^ together with 4|469 



1859.] John Norton's « Orthodox EvangeJktr 78 

sqaare feet of land, in the spring of 1857, the list of donors, and those pastors who 
for $25,000, is universally regarded as a will hereafter see that their congregations 
wise measure, in a business point of view, have the opportunity to make that " one 
while its location in a quiet, yet central collection," in aid of the object, which 
and thriving part of the city, renders it each congregation is expecting to make, 
admirably suited to all the purposes for would be pleased to doit noio. Theprop- 
which it was bought. But it is not yet paid erty being thus disencumbered of debt^ 
for in full; and the one great want of the and all the while enhancing in value, 
Association at the present time is the there would be no difficulty in replacing 
means of lifting a mortgage, which ab- the present edifice with one of sufficient 
sorbs quite top much of the income de- capacity to answer all the purposes origi- 
rived finom the rooms let to various Socie- nally contemplated, and to afiord the 
ties in the house now occupying the site, means of accomplishing every object 
This pressing want would be relieved at which the Association stands pledged be- 
once if those benevolent individuals who fore the world to accomplish. 
itUend to have their names enrolled on 



JOHN NORTON'S " ORTHODOX EVANGELIST." 

BT BEV. JOSEPH S. CLiJlK, D.D. 

We propose to place on the pages of Norton's earliest and ablest supporters in 
-the Congregational Quarterly short his- that part of the town. 
torical notices of rare books, pamphlets. Before examining the volume the read- 
manuscripts, &c., new and old, which are er may be interested to know something 
found among the collections of the Con- about its distinguished author, 
gregadonal Library Association. This Rev. John Norton was bom May 6, 
labor is undertaken not so much to grat- 1606, at Starford, in the county of Hertford- 
ify the curious, as to guide the enquiring shire, England ; was graduated at Cam- 
— such as are investigating subjects, and bridge in 1623 ; lefl his nadve land on 
may wish to know what helps are at hand, account of non -conformity in 1685, and 
The fact that no catalogue of the Library came to Plymouth, where he was called 
has yet been printed renders a bibliogra- to settle, as he was also at Ipswich. This 
phy of this sort all the more needful. It latter call he accepted, and was ordained 
will introduce the readers of the Qnar- February 20, 1638. He was in high rep- 
terly into many a field, fragrant with flow- utation for learning on the other side of 
ers or abounding in fruit, which they the water, and not less so for piety, if we 
might otherwise be long time in finding. may accept the testimony of an aged cler- 

Preeminently deserving of such notice gyman, " that there was not more grace 
is the Tolume named at the head of this and holiness left in all Essex, than what 
article, idiich came into the Library Mr. Norton carried with him." On this 
about a year ago as a donation from Mrs. side the water he stood among the fore- 
Mary Cheat, widow of the late Col. Cheat, most in that bright constellation of schol- 
of Essex ; once a part of Ipswich where ars that here illumined a wilderness. An 
the author preached before his settlement influential member of the Synod, in 1637, 
in Boston. From autographs found on he performed his full share in crushin^r 
flyJeaves and margins, the book seems to out the Antinomian heresy ; at the re- 
have descended through the entire line of quest of his brethren he replied in Latin, 
her ancestry from Mr. John Cogswell, to the questions of the learned Appoloni- 
wlio settled there in 1635, as one of Mr. us, of Zealand, in 1645, which got him 
10 



74 



Jolm NartaviB ^ Orthodox EvamgeUst!* 



[Jan. 



great renown ; he took a prominent part 
in the Synod of 1648, which formed the 
Cambridge Platform ; and was appointed 
by the Greneral Court in 1651, to refute 
the supposed errors of T^^lliam Pjnchon's 
dialogue on Redemption and Justification. 
At the dying request of Rev. John Cot- 
ton, of Boston, Mr. Norton was elected 
his successor, and, after long and earnest 
resistance from his Ipswich flock, he was 
transferred to that important post in 1656, 
which he filled with great ability till his 
death, April 5, 1663, at the age of 57. 

The Yolume now to be noticed is in 
small quarto form, and contains 855 pages, 
with copious marginal notes, chiefly in 
Latin and Greek. The title-page, which, 
according to the taste of those times, is 
also, in some sense, a table of contents, 
reads thus: 

" The orthodox EVANGE- 
LIST, or a Treatise wherein many 
Great Evangelical Truths (not a 
few whereof are much Opposed and 
Eclipsed in this perilous hour of the Paeh 
sion of the Gospel,) are briefly Discussed, 
cleared, and confirmed: As a farther 
help for the Begeting and Establishing of 
the Faith which is in Jesus. As also the 
State of the Blessed, Where; Of the con- 
dition of their souls firom the instant of 
their Dissolution ; and of their Persons 
after their Resurrection, By John Nor- 
ton, Teacher of the Church at Ipswich 
in New England. ' For I determined not 
to know any thing amongst you, save Je- 
sus Christ, and him crucified ' — 1 Cor. 
2: 2. Moreover, I will endeavour, that 
you may be able after my decease, to 
have these things always in remembrance 
— 2 Pet 1:15. London, printed by John 
Macock, for Henry Cripps and Lodwidt 
Lloydt and are to be sold at their shop in 
Pope's head Alley, near Lombard Street. 
1654." 

It is the general impression, we believe, 
that the Puritan Divines who settled New 
England, though foremost in constructing 
an ecclesiastical system, never elalxnrated 
a system of theology, but took John Cal- 



vin's as an all-sufliciency for that matter ; 
that the nearest approach to any such 
thing, before the time of Edwards, was 
President Samuel Willard's huge foUo of 
250 lectures on the Assembly's Shorter 
Catechism, which Dr. Wisner, in his His- 
tory d the Old South Church, Boston, 
(p. 14,) calls ^ the first body of Divinity, 
and the first foUo ever printed in this 
country." It may have been the "^ first 
fi)Ho;" but if by "body of Divinity" be 
intended a systematic statement and logi- 
cal proof of the great doctrines of Chris- 
tian theology, we think that this *' Ortho- 
dox Evangelist " is deserving of that title, 
as will appear fixnn the following ** Table 
of Chapters," printed in the end of the 
volume : 

L Of the Divine Essence. 
IL Of the Trinity. 

m. Of Christ 

IV. Of the Decree. 
V. Of the Efficiency of God. 

YI. There are certain preparatory 
works coming between the carnal rest of 
the soul in the state of Nature, and efiect- 
ual Vocation. 

VII. What are the principal heads 
whereunto the substance of preparatory 
works in the full extent thereof may be 
referred. 

Vin. Whether there be any saving 
qualifications before the grace of faith, viz : 
any such qualification whereupon salva^ 
tion be certainly promised unto the per- 
son so qualified. 

IX. Of the first object of saving faith. 

X. Saving faith is the efiectof free sav- 
ing grace, that is, of grace flowing from 
God according to Election, and fixun 
Christ according to Redemption, viz : as 
the Redeemer and designed head of the 
Elect t 

XL What is the first saving gift actu- 
ally applied unto an elect soul? 
Xn. The soul is passive in Vocation. 

XIII. Of the union of the believer 
with Christ. 

XIV. Of Justification by fiadth. 

XV. Of the state of the blessed, where: 



1859.] 



Jolm Noiimii *^ Orthodox Evcmgdidr 



76 



Of the condition of their souls from the 
instant of their dissolution ; and of their 
persons after the Resurrection." 

These heads of doctrine, so methodi- 
cally arranged, do certainly disclose the 
oatiines of a theological 83r8tem. Of what 
practical type and texture it iB,4(for none 
of our present ** schools'' were then found- 
ed) may be inferred from a mere an- 
nouncement of the numerical divisions, 
in any one of these chapters. Take the 
5th, for example, ^ Of the Efficiency of 
God^ which happens to be the first that 
oocun, on opening the volume at random. 
One is struck with the numerous, yet na- 
tnral and nicely developed branches into 
which the theme ramifies under the elab- 
orate treatment of the writer, thus : 

'* In the disquisition of this subject con- 
sider : 

1. What the efficiency of Grod is. 

2. The distribution thereo£ 

8. What the concourse of the first cause 
with the second is. 

4. The necessity thereof in respect of 
the second cause. 

5. The manner of it. 

6. The chief objections against, — 

(1) The all-efflciency of God. 

(2) The all-goveming Providence 
of God. 

7. The use of this doctrine." 

The foregoing is a fair specimen of the 
general heads into which each chapter is 
divided. The subdivisions are numerous, 
but clear and logicaL Take this again as 
an illustration. 

1. ** As God, befOTe time, by one firee, 
eternal and constant, immanent act, de- 
creed the friturition of all things, so God, 
in time, by many transient acts, doth ex- 
actiy execute the same, — (to'mt) only 
what he did decree, all that he did decree, 
and according as he did decree." Each 
of these points illustrated in a few terse 
sentences, shows what the divine efficiency 
is, as that term is understood and employ- 
ed by the writer. 

2. It is " distributed into, (1) Creation ; 
(2) Providence ;" and this last again is 



divided into, (a) ** Upholding the crea- 
ture in its being, virtues, and actions ; 
and (h) Governing thereo£" This gov- 
ernment moreover, is conducted by a 
^ rule" which constitutes '* the law of na- 
ture," or <^ the moral law," according as 
the creature to which it is applied is *^ un- 
reasonable or reasonable." ^ In the gov- 
ernment of the unreasonable [L e. irra- 
tional] creature, three things are to be 
observed : first, an^ obediential power ; 
second, the impression of the will of 
the Creator concerning the creatures, 
stamped upon them from the beginning ; 
third, a propenseness of nature, which 
is a principle to do according to that law 
of nature," and called inclination or in- 
stinct, as the creature is inanimate or anir 
mate. 

3. '< The concourse [concurrence] of the 
first cause with the second, is an external 
transient influence of God upon the crea- 
ture in time, exactiy answering to the de- 
cree of Grod before time, moving upon, co- 
working with, and assisting of the second 
cause to its operations." The one is to 
the other '* as the first mover is unto the 
inferior orbs ; as an impulse, thrust, or 
put on, is unto a round body, of itself pro- 
pense to roll ; as the nurse's lifting the 
child up the stairs, is unto the child in- 
clined to go up ; as the wind is unto the 
vessel under sail, and ready upon the mo- 
tion of the stream to launch forth ; as 
light is to an open eye, yet in the dark." 

4. ^ The necessity of the concurrence 
of the first cause with the second in the 
operations thereof, appears thus : — 
(1) All creatures depend upon Grod in 
respect of their being, conservation and 
operation; (2) From the perfection of 
the first cause ; (3) It implleth a contra- 
diction that the creature should be able to 
act without dependence upon the Creator ; 
(4) As the conserving influence of Grod is 
unto the conservation of the creature, so 
is the assisting influence of God unto the 
operation q( the creature," L e. absolute- 
ly indispensible. 

5. The ^' manner'' of this concurrence 



76 



JoTm Nortmiz ^ Orthodox Emnge&str 



[Jan. 



is shown under four heads ; — (1) " It fore- 
goeth the operation of the second cause 
in order, though it be together with it in 
time; (2) It is by way of co-working 
with the second cause — as the second 
can not produce an effect without the 
first cause, so the first cause will not 
produce it without the second cause ; (3) 
The concurrence of the first cause with 
the second is immediate/' [i. e. as subse- 
quently explained, '* so as nothing is in- 
terposed ;] (4) " The first cause so con- 
curreth as it determineth the second cause 
in its operation*** This last is proved by 
these three considerations; (a) The efficien- 
cy of God is adequate to his decree ; (6) 
** There can be but one absolute determin- 
er ;" (c) " If the operation of the second 
cause were not absolutely determined by 
the decree, God might suffer disappoint- 
ment** ^ 

6. Under the head of "objections 
against the all-sufficiency, and all-gov- 
erning Providence of God,** five of the 
most gnarled and knotty are stated with 
great 'fairness and force, but only to be 
the more thoroughly refuted. There is 
not space in this brief notice to insert 
these objections or their answers. They 
constitute the largest division of the gen- 
eral subject, and develope a logical acu- 
men seldom surpassed. The reader will 
find himself greatly pleased, as well as 
improved, by following this champion of 
truth as he clears the field of sophisms, 
troop after troop, and plants an impreg- 
nable fortress at this point and that, for its 
fixture defence. 

7. The doctrine of divine efficiency 
finds its " use*' as " an antidote against 
many pestilent errors" and also as " a 
principle whence we may deduce many 
precious truths,** Among the errors that 
it guards against, are, (1) " Atheism ;" 
(2) " Epicurism ; '* (3) " Stoicism ;" (4) 
" The belief in Fortune;" (5) "Libertin- 
ism ;" (6) " The doctrine of the Jesuits ; 
(7) " The doctrine of the Arrainians. 
Among the "precious truths" dcducibic 
therefrom, are such as these : that " God*8 



t> 



i> 



decree is the rule of liis efficiency ,** that 
" God*s efficiency is answ;erable unto his 
decree ;" that " the second cause acts, and 
doth its actions as properly, really, and 
formally, as if (upon a supposition, which 
yet is impossible) there were no first 
cause ;*' (hat " the first cause acts, and 
doth all things as properly, and really, as 
if there were no second cause ; that what- 
ever dark aspects the government of God 
presents, '" so much hath he revealed, as 
that he who believeth, and walketh ac- 
cording to the rule, need not be afraid of 
his secret will. Both the decree, and the 
execution thereof (though yet unknown 
as touching infinite particulars) are for 
him, not against him." 

The book abounds in gems of thonght 
tersely expressed — fitted to point an ar- 
gument, or fiimish a motto. The compli- 
ment which John Cotton pays to the au- 
thor's style, in his preliminary address 
" to the judicious Christian reader," is 
richly merited. "Moreover, says he, 
(after praising the " exactness of the mat- 
ter") " that which adorneth the exactness 
of the matter of this discourse, is, pithy 
brevity, compacting as many things as 
words together." And he adduces the 
following singular, but highly significant 
illustration of the practical power of such 
a style of writing. " The schoolmen 
(though they be none of the soundest di- 
vines) yet of late years, have crept (for a 
time) into more credit amongst schools, 
than the most judicious and Orthodox of 
our best new writers (Luther, Calvin ^ 
Martyr, Bucer,) and the rest ; and their 
books were much more vendible, and at a 
far greater price. But what or where- 
in lay their preeminence ? Not in the 
light of divine grace (whereof most of 
them were wholly destitute ;) nor in the 
skill in tongues and polite literature^ 
(wherein they were barbarians ;) nor in 
their deeper insight into the holy Scrip- 
tures (in which they were less conversant, 
than in Peter Lombard and Aristotle i) 
but in their rational disputes with distinct 
solidity and succinct brevity** 



1859.] Amerieem Ccngregcixomai StaHdies for 1858. 



77 



Bnt perhaps the most remarkable fact 
which ihb old yolnme discloses to the 
present generation, is, that there was a 
generation here once who could actually 
read a work of snch profandity with 
edi6eation and profit That this was 
the case is presomptivelj evident from 
the author^s testimony concerning his 
own people, whose mental capabilities 
he had doubtless ascertained in the course 
of a fourteen years' ministry among them. 
In his pre&tory address to *' The Church 
and inhabitants of Ipswich," for whose 
spiritual benefit the treatise was more 
paiticularly constructed, ' he says, ** Men 
need strong meat, as well as babes need 
milk ; though he who is but a babe hath 
not the knowledge of a man, yet babes rest 
not in being babes. I have endeavored 
tasay something that might entertain the 
stroDger, yet so as (I hope,) I have 
scarce said anything that weaker capaci- 
ties may not with due attention attain 
unto.** So ^ as this was true of the Ips- 



wich people, it was probably true of their 
neighbors also — ^the population generally, 
who were then planting these New Eng- 
land towns. And the book itself gives 
internal evidence in support of Mr. Nor- 
ton's testimony; for while it shows no 
dgns of ever having been in the hands of 
a minister, or out of the family with whom 
it was found, the corrections made in 
its blundering typography, and other 
pen-and-ink traces on the margin of 
leaves, plainly denote attentive reading. 
Certainly "there were giants in those 
days," — not among the ministers and mag- 
istrates only, but among the common peo- 
ple — intellectual giants ; or an edition of 
such an abstruse and deeply metaphysi- 
cal treatise on Christian theology would 
never have been published ; or if pub- 
lished, could never have been sold, " as a 
help for the begetting and establishing of 
the fsdth " among the inhabitants of a coun- 
try parish. 



AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL STATISTICS FOR 1858. 



BY KEV. ALONZO H. QUINT. 



** I have again numbered Israel," wrote 
a clergyman, on sending the statistics of 
his church, " but by what authority I 
know not, nor whether it will expose me 
to the divine displeasure." Whether our 
annual denominational numberinga — now 
finished — shall expose us " to the divine 
displeasure," depends upon the motives 
which have prompted us and the use we 
make of the figures. If it is to minister 
to oar denominational pride ; or to take 
to ourselves the credit for our increase ; 
or to cause reliance upon man instead of 
€rod ; or to allow us to feel that numbers 
may take the place of personal activity, 
we have sinned. But if it be done with 
a desire to praise God for what he has 
done for us ; to ascertain what the Cause 
can rightfully ask of this organized 
army; to mourn over the poor results 



achieved by so many thousands of be- 
lievers, as to pecuniary contributions, 
ministerial supply, conversions (^ sinners ; 
to see in what part of the broad field the 
labon^rs need help, and where " waste 
places " need to be occupied ; if we al- 
ways bear in mind that these figures rep- 
resent sovih^ and their varying positions 
signify the changing relations of immor- 
tal spirits, then we do well to number our 
churches. Nor is it unwholesome, but a 
matter greatly to be desired, that Congre- 
gationalists cultivate a denominational 
(not sectarian) spirit ; that they cherish 
such an esprit du corps as shall make 
their name a definite term, expressive of 
a definite meaning, and give form, shape 
and life to distinct denominational plans 
in all departments of religious activity ; 
while at the same time, they will fight no 



Y8 



American Gcngregatwnal StaUstics far 1858. [Jan. 



leas boldlf, nor stand side hy side leas 
hannonioualjr with other parts of the 
great army of belierers, for having their 
own ofi&cers and discipline. 

But any alarm as to an exact enumera- 
tion is needless ; no such census yet ex- 
ists. A melancholy approximation is all 
that can be had as to the condition of the 
denomination. To this unhappy result 
various causes contribute : Our scattered 
churches send their statistics through 
State organizations, and in several States 
no such organization exists ; where such 
do exist, that attribute, of which a learned 
Divine says original sin consists, renders 
great numbers of Pastors and Clerks re- 
morselessly negligent; when reports are 
made, they are often as definite as the 
weather predictions, covering a whole 
month in the Almanac, " expect — ^foul — 
weather — about — ^this^— time ; " it is a mel- 
ancholy fact that not a few Pastors know 
less as to how many souls they have cov- 
enanted to watch over, than as to the 
state of things in Borrioboola-Gha. When 
we add the fact that churches are not sel- 
dom reported, without even the statement 
of the fact, in other than their own States ; 
that there are a large number of churches 
unconnected with Associations or Con- 
ferences; that in several States our 
churches are mixed up with Presbyterian- 
ism, on that ** self-denying ordinance ** of 
Congregationalists, the ** Plan of Union," 
it is sufi&ciently evident that the ascertain- 
ing of our numbers, either of churches or 
members, is a "Pursuit of Knowledge 
under Difficulties.*' 

The following digest, therefore, while 
evidence of good intentions, must not be 



honored as in£iUible. Taking the statis- 
tics of the various State bodies as the 
groundwork, we have estimated the on- 
reported churches from their last previ- 
ous (or successive) reports ; have trans- 
ferred reported churches from States 
where they do not belong to States where 
they do belong ; have sorted out Presby- 
terian churches in all known cases ; have 
re-footed up the bulk of the statistics, and 
corrected the errors thereby discovered ; 
have corresponded with various well- 
informed people, and have exercised our 
own knowledge by way of modification, 
in all cases where we were gifted liiat 
way. The differences from the published 
results which thus appear, the enors 
which may still exist, and the great im- 
perfections herein exhibited, may be aft* 
tributed to the sadly chaotic state in which 
our statistics are annually presented to 
the public ; of the statistical merits or de- 
merits, and of the remedy for the latter, 
we propose to say something at another 
time. 

The Maine Conference Minutes (which 
stand at the head, a model, as a historical 
document,) furnish its statistics in excel- 
lent shape, although the summary is de- 
fective in two or three particulars. Sup- 
plying the wanting colunms, transferring a 
N. H. Church to the N. H. tables, and 
sending another Church home to New 
Brunswick, we find 242 churches, organ- 
ized into 14 County Conferences, which 
are composed of both clergy and laymen 
as they ought to be, and nnited into a 
General Conference, whose statistics for 
1857 and 1858 compare as follows : 



Obuschss. 



Tear. 
1867 
1858 



Withputor. 
89 



With St rap. Yaoaat. Total. 
96 53 238 

98 55 242 



MlKXBTBBB. 



Pastors. 

89 
89 



St sup. 
72 
76 



Others. 
46 
36 



TOTAI.. 

207 
201 



GnuBOH MwraiM. 



AODCnOHB. 



Year. Hales. Fern. Total. Absent. ProC Let. Total. D*th. 

1857 4,525 9,608 16,648 2,466 462 243 695 265 

1858 4,924 10,481 17,699 2,537 1,407 478 1,885 294 



BXXOTALB. 



Baptoiis. 



Dis. Ezo. Total. Ad. Inf. 
294 23 582 205 266 
550 45 889 689 311 



Sab. 

SOBOOL. 

18,672 
19,425 



Showing a net gain of 4 churches, 1054 members, 758 in the Sabbath Schools, 



1859.] Ammcfm Congregational SiaHttia for 1858. 



79 



and an excess of 1190 in the additions in 
1857-8 over those in 1856-7, a partial ex- 
hibition of the lesnlt of recent reviyals. 

'^ Males" and ** Females'* are but par- 
tially reported, but we insert the figures 
to show the proportion of one to the 
other. The colomns of " Church mem- 
bers^ refer to the time of taking the enu- 
meration; the "additions," "remoyals** 
and " baptisms" cover the one year pre- 

TlOIIfl. 

In the above figures it will be noticed 
that 76 stated supplies minister to 98 
churches ; this is accomplished by having 
one man officiate at several contiguous 
placefl : this method is being adopted in 
other States, and is admirably fitted not 
only to relieve destitutions but also to 
destroy dependence on eleemosynary in- 
stitations. It will be seen, iJso, that the 
average membership of the churches is 
73 and a fraction ; 89 of the churches ex- 
eeed this membership, and 158 fall below 
it. An examination will disclose the fact 
that 210 incorporated places are supplied 
with churches (two towns uniting, in five 



cases,) so that an equal number are 
still unsupplied with churches of our de- 
nomination ; six churches are recorded as 
having " no ordinances ;" two others are 
ominously stated to have made " no re- 
port for several years ;" 18 churches have 
less than ten members each. All of these 
matters are in the province of that noble 
institution the " Maine Missionary Socie- 
ty," which has done and is doing much 
for the Cause in that State. 

According to the New Hampshire 
Minutes, every Church is reported, and 
a very decided improvement over the 
statistics of 1857 is exhibited; all the 
points about which we wish to learn are 
clearly set forth. To ascertain the com- 
parative condition of the churches, we 
build up the waste places in the statistics 
of 1857, correct certain errors in the ad- 
dition of columns, in 1858, add a Church 
reported in the Maine figures in each 
year, and subtract, in each year, those 
Presbyterian churches which, though ex- 
cellent in their way, do not walk in our • 
way, and we have the following results : 



Chuschu. 



MnnsTKU. 



1857 
1858 



WlUipaator. With st. rap. Yaeant. Total. 
93 54 38 185 

86 66 32 184 



Pastors. 
93 
86 



St. sup. 
54 
64 



Others. 
27 
31 



Total. 
174 
181 



CHDICH MxlfBIBS. 



AoDinoifB. 



RSMOVAIS. 



Tf 

1857 
1858 



Males. Fern. Total. Absent. Prof. Let. Total. D*th. Dis. 
5,691 12,009 19,179 .... 583 334 917 312 421 
5,571 11,880 20,363 3,371 1,300 456 1,756 399 624 



Baptisms. 

. , — *- — * Sab. 

Ezo. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 

18 749 276 273 

27 1,054 660 373 20,868 



According to these statistics, churches 
of oar denomination are found in 167 of 
the towns or other incorporated places in 
New Ebmpshire, leaving 72 unsupplied ; 
in quite a number of the remaining, either 
stated supplies are located or Home Mis- 
sionaries employed. The average mem- 
benhip of the churches is 110 and a frac- 
tion; 75 exceed tiiis membership, and 109 
fall below it ; one Church only, has less 
than 10 members ; 104 have less than 100 
members each; 2 churches have each 
between 400 and 500, and one . exceeds 



500. The reports of the churches are 
made through 14 clerical Associations. 

It is a luxury to turn from the meagre, 
defective, ungainly statistics which Ver- 
mont furnished in 1857, to the excellent 
tables of 1858, and to find them in the 
handsomest pamphlet of our whole series. 
It is unfortunate that 22 reports this year 
are old ones copied, but 39 were similarly 
situated the year before. A few church- 
es are not reported, whose want it is easy 
to supply, with the following result : 







American Congregatmal Staiislkifor 1858. [Jak, 



CHTTBCHn. 



MuriBTBBS. 



..Ate 



TcAr. 

1857 
1858 



With pastor. With st. sap. Vacant. Total. 
69 71 53 193 

66 83 41 190 



Pastors. 
70 
67 



St. sup. 
69 
78 



Others. 
55 
50 



Total. 
194 
195 



GHUBOH MtMBKM. 



ADDITI0K8. 



RjQIOVALS. 



Baptisms. 



Tear. Males. Fem. Total. Absent. Prof. 

1857 3,838 6,870 17,214 2,140 315 

1858 5,404 10,307 19,656 2,476 715 



Let. Total. D'th. Dls. 
301 616, 205 326 
405 1120 334 480 



Sab. 



Exc Total. Ad. Inf. School. 

16 747 •• 147 

15 811 338 257 13,763 



Showing a net loss of 3 churches, and a 
giun of 2,442 members, and that 504 more 
persons were received in 1857-8, than in 
1856-7. 

Three churches have less than 10 mem- 
bers each ; 5 churches number between 
300 and 400; and one exceeds 400. The 
average is 103 and a fraction ; 6 7 churches 
have 100 or more each, and 123 have 
less. 

The experience of New Hampshire 
and Vermont exhibits in a marked degree 
the true dependence of the churches. For 
several years previous, steadily decreas- 
ing numbers had filled Christians with 
alarm ; a year has passed by, ' and al- 
though the tide of emigration has not 
been " turned," the " captivity of Jacob " 
has been, and the numbers show that Uie 
true reliance of churohes is upon the power 
of the Holy Ghost 

The statistics of the Massachusetts 
General Association, although they go to 



press in July, are made up only to the 
1st of January preceding; hence they do 
not exhibit the result of the revivals; 
those will appear in the statistics now col- 
lecting. The tables show, however, that 
the denomination is as strong and grow- 
ing in its earliest American home, as ever, 
although its increase in churches by no 
means equals that which followed the ex- 
pulsion of our people from the homes of 
their fathers thirty years ago. The ex- 
act facts it is now comparatively easy to 
ascert^dn, as every Church in quasi-con- 
nection with the General Association ii 
reported in the tables, and the two others 
are well known — a result attributable to 
the statistical plans in which Massachu- 
setts has taken the lead ; out of the 6720 
specific items due in the tables, only 44 are 
in any way defective, and of these, 26 be- 
long to 2 churCihes which failed to report 
additions, &c., but which probably meant 
" none." 



Chuhchis. 



MlHISTKRS. 



Tear. 
1857 
1858 



With pastor. With st. sap. Vacant. TotAL. 
342 60 75 477 

349 63 70 482 



Pastors. 
352 
358 



St. sup. 
66 
63 



Others. 
157 
165 



Total. 
567 
586 



GHUaOH MUIBEBS. 



Addftioks. 



RUfOVALS. 



Baptisms. 



Sab. 



Tear. Males. Fem. Total. Absent Prof. Let. Total. DHh. Dis. Exc. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 

1857 21,057 45.548 68,094 10,389 1,848 1,710 3,558 1,181 1.849 155 3.185 795 1,370 70.502 

1858 21,426 46,668 69,466 10,614 2,993 2,027 2,020 1,135 1,949 87 3171 1293 1,411 73,210 



Showing a net gain of 5 churches, 1,352 
members, and 2,708 in Sabbath Schools, 
and that 1,478 more were received to the 
churches in 1857, than in 1856. 

Of the Massachusetts churches, seven, 
at least, have only a nominal existence. 
Of the whole number, 198 have less than 
100 members each; 177 have 100 and 
not 200 ; 63 have 200 and not 300 ; 31 
have 300 and not 400 ; 7 have 400 and 



not 500 ; 3 have 500 and not 600 ; 1 has 
600 and not 700; 1 has 700 and not 800, 
and 1 has 800. In 26 towns, there appear 
to be no churches of our denomination, 
but there is evangelical preaching in all 
of these, and in most of them are Ortho- 
dox Congrcgationalists who are constitu- 
ent parts of accessible churches in adjoin- 
ing towns. Massachusetts Congregation- 
alism id still able, under the blessing of 



1869.] Ameriean Oonffr^atmal StaUdies/or 1868. 



81 



God, to hold its own, even while it sends 
oat its swanns to new States, or ndses up 
under its sturdy training those who be- 
come the most stalwart men ot Fresbyte- 
nanism. 

The Evangelical Consociation of Rhode 
Island numbers 21 churches, with no 
intermediate Associations or Consocia- 
tionfl. In the statistics of 1858, for which 
we waited patiently, all the churches, save 
one, report themselyes. Of that one^ a 
firiend writes us, " it [the blank] is not 
the &nlt of ... . our Statistical Secre- 



tary, nor of the rest of us. We have 
tried hard enough to wrench statistics 
from a rock." A Church which is guilt- 
less of ordinary courtesy should leave the 
Consociation. While the table is greatly 
improved over that of last year, thus one 
Church mars its fair look. We commend 
to all concerned, Ecclesiastes x : 1. 

The Church in Fall River has left the 
Consociation; but as it is not reported 
elsewhere, we keep it in its old place this 
year ; and, filling up defects, we find mat- 
ters thus: 



Gruiobib. 




MiHums. 


T«w. WltiipMtor. WiUift. Bap. VMant. 

1867 17 3 2 

1868 17 8 2 


TotaXn 
22 
22 


PftBton. St. sap. 
17 3 
17 3 




0th«n. Total. 
20 
20 




ADSmOMg. 


Rkmotals. 




Baptums. 

a.. 


Tmt. Maki. f «&. Total. AlMent. Prot 
1857 8,241 •••• 72 


Let. Total. D*th. Dia. Bxe. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 

52 124 33 55 2 90 27 34 4,210 

101 296 49 72 12 133 106 45 4,126 



Showing a gain of 153 members, a loss of 
84 in Sabbath Schools, and that the num- 
ber of additions in 1857, was double the 
number in 1856. 

The R. L churches average 154 mem- 
bers each; 9 exceed that number; 7 
churches have less than 50 each ; of which 
one has less than 20. 

The CoNNSCTicuT statistics, which are 
too good not to be better, have all the 
columns deared except * Sabbath Schools,' 
and several that are neither ornamental 
nor usefuL The absence of indexes, the 



heterogeneous arrangement of towns and 
Associations, the irreconcilableness of ta- 
bles and summary, the far greater num- 
ber of unreporting churches, and that ab- 
sence of ciphers which leaves us in painful 
suspense, whether the blanks signify hon- 
esty, ignorance, or laziness, — ^render these 
tables less satisfactory than those of the 
o^her N. £. States. Nevertheless, we be- 
lieve that we have supplied the wanting 
figures with sufficient care to make the 
following comparison reliable : 



CHUftOHSS. 



Uunsms. 



T« 

1857 
1858 



With pMtor. With St rap. Vacant. Total. 
196 45 42 283 

177 37 68 282 



Pastors. 
200 
180 



St. rap. 
45 
37 



Others. 
120 
115 



Total. 
365 
331 



ChITBCB MtMBMS. 



Additions. 



RjQIOVALS. 



Baptismb. 



Tisr. Males. Icn. Total. Ahsent. 

1857 11,429 22,026 42,967 3,115 

1858 10,823 21,969 42,073 3,118 



Prot Let. Total. D'th. Dis. 
939 745 1,684 548 891 
925 766 1,691 608 839 



Sab. 
£zo. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 

75 1,514 372 760 

48 1,495 360 713 



Showing a loss of one Church, and of 894 
members. 

The Connecticut churches average, 
each 145 and a fraction; 104 (perhaps 
more,) exceed this number ; S churches 
have less than 20 members each, none 
less than 10. There are 15 Associations. 

11 



Congregationalism in New York is in 
a peculiar position. On the one hand a 
large number of churches (about 100,) 
are Independent, and on the other, about 
125 arc connected with Presbyterianism 
through the " entangling Alliance." Be- 
tween these stand Uiose churches which 



82 



American Coi^regational Statistics for 1858. [Jan. 



are connected with ihe General Asso- this source of error (which leads the 
ciATiox ; and of these latter only can re- '* Year Book " to enumerate these church- 
ports be had. The rery creditable Min- es twice,) will, with some others, be cor- 
utes recently issued furnish a good degree rected in due time by the faithful Statisti- 
of knowledge as to the statistics, although cal Secretary, who has already, to our 
the churches located in New Jersey should knowledge, OYorcome great and peculiar 
have their position stated ; and those of obstacles in his department Making 
that State and of Pennsylvania should these changes, and correcting an error or 
have a separate place in the Summary ; two, we find the comparison thus : 



Ghubohu. 



MonsTBU. 



Tetf. With pMtor. With st. sap. Vacant. Total. 

1857 124 61 175 

1858 45 107 26 178 



Paston. 
44 
45 



St. lap. 
85 
72 



OUien. 


Total. 


45 


174 


68 


185 



Gbttboh MiMBm. 



ADDinOKS. 



RmOTALB. 



Baptoms. 



Bab. 



Tear. Malea. Vmn, Total. Abaent. Prot JmL Total. D*th. Dia. Szo. Total. Ad. Isf. SohoqIm 

1857 4,708 8,116 14,682 848 757 633 1,476 152 524 61 833 268 387 10,487 

1858 5,392 9,467 16,778 1,003 1,694 707 2,401 197 678 48 923 747 478 U,921 

Showing a net gain of S churches, of Oberlin, Ohio, has fallen back since 1857, 



2,096 members, and of 1,434 in Sabbath 
Schools, and that 925 more persons united 
with the churches in 1857-8, than in 
1856-7. 

The average membership of the New 
York churches (which are formed into 12 
Associations,) is 94 and a fraction ; 64 
churches exceed that number; one — the 
Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, reports 1,063 
members, by which it appears to be the 
second in size of all our churches, unless 



when it reported 1^26. 

Almost our only information as to Con- 
gregationalism in New Jersey is derived 
from the New York statistics, where we 
find three churches which we infer to be 
located in New Jersey, although, by some 
remarkable oversight, no intimation of that 
fact appears. The three are the churches 
in Chester, Newark and Patterson ; anoth- 
er is reckoned in the ** Year Book," with 
88 members ; these statistics compare thus : 



Chdrohm. 



MonsTiBf. 



Tear. WiUi paator. With at. sup. Vacant. Total. 

1857 3 .... 3 

1858 4 .... 4 



Paatois. 
3 

4 



St. sup. 



Othen. 
1 
1 



TotAL. 

4 
5 



CHimCB MSMBXBS. 



ASDITIORS. 



RnroTAU. 



BApnnts. 



Bab. 



Tear. Malaa. Vem. Total. AlMwot. Prof. I^et Total. D^th. Dia. Sxo. Total, Ad. Inf. Sobool. 

1857 221 418 639 15 24 30 54 5 18 .. 23 9 10 300 

1858 227 463 728 31 113 28 141 15 23 4 42 48 13 450 



Showing a gain of 89 members, and of tier, are included in the Greneral Associa- 



150 in Sabbath Schools. 

Pennsylvania is another State where 
Congregationalism hardly has a ** local 
habitation and a name." We are aware 
of no organization to bind the churches 
together, and hence there are no com- 
plete reports. Some few churches, how- 
ever, bordering on the New York fron- 



tion of that state, and one (Conneaut,) in 
that of Ohio. Otiiers are enumerated in 
the Congregational Year Book ; from these 
sources we compile the following, noting 
that for only the 6 churches found in the 
N. Y. Minutes, and the one in those of 
Ohio, are additions, &c., given, and for 
the last named, only in 1857. 



1859.] Americtm CongregtHtmai SttHsHes for 1858. 



83 



Chukoebs. 



HlHUTIBS. 



Tmt. With pastor. With tt. tup. Taoftot. 
1857 16 2 8 

1858 



• • 



Total. 
26 
27 



PMton. 
16 



St. sop. 
2 



Others. 
1 



Total. 
19 
22 



Obvech MsMBna. 



ADDinom. 



Rbmotals. 



BAPTHIfS. 



Tf 
1867 

1858 



]ai« 



Yam. 



Sab. 



•••• 



Total. Abaent. Prof. Let. Total. D'th. Dis. JExo. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 
1,671 .. 2 II 13 .. 15 1 16 .. 9 325 
1,440 .. 24 10 34 1 3 .. 4 13 2 .... 



At no distant period we propose publish- 
ing an account which shall be of some 
•ervicc. 

The Ohio Greneral Conference, which 
was organized at Mansfield, Jan. 24, 
1852, unites the bulk of the Congrega- 
tional charches of that state ; but ** our 
Minntes,** writes the Statistical Secretary, 
** are not published, and, in all probability. 



will not be this year." Under these cir- 
cumstances we have concluded to insert 
the entire Summary for 1858, which we 
have .procured through the courtesy of 
Rer. Henry Cowles, of Oberlin. 

The statistics for 1857, (every column of 
which we were obliged to add up for our- 
selyes,) were as follows : 



Gbubcbm. 



Withi>Mtort. With Bt sop. Vacant. Total. 

as 40 30 108 



BfiHiams. 



Paston. 
31 



St sap. 
36 



Othan. 
37 



Total. 
107 



ChUBCH MXVBBIS. 



Additioto. 



Males. Fem. Total. Absent. Prof. Let. Total. 
1297 .... 8,774 .... 281 267 765 



Rjqiotals. 



.J^. 



Baptisms. 



8ab. 



D'th. DU. Ezo. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 
50 248 15 313 87 82 6,734 



For 1858: covering, as before, from July 1, to July 1. 



Hnrmnf. 



HoNiT RAism. 



CoimAuzvoH, Jto., 

1. Grand River Association, 

2. North East Conference, 

3. Cleveland 

4. Puritan 
6. Medina 

6. Central North Association, 

7. Marietta Conference, 

8. Miami, 



Chorohes. Pantors. St. rop. Total. Parish nses. 



•< 
it 



i< 



Total in Conferences, 
9. Not in Conference, 

TOTAI- 



12 
18 
14 
12 

7 
13 
10 

8 

94 
20 

114 



1 

6 
2 
1 
5 
5 
3 

23 
1 

24 



4 
8 
9 
9 
4 
2 
3 
5 

44 
13 

57 



5 
8 
15 
II 
5 
7 
8 
8 

67 
14 



|||3,870 
3,418 

11,893 
8,152 
1,850 

10,763 
3,295 

22,745 

65,976 
5,702 



Bener. 
^39 
1,125 
1,223 
1,535 
441 
1,317 
1,234 
1,777 

9,091 
12,724 



Total. 
$4,309 
4,543 
13,116 

9,687 
2,291 

12,070 
4,529 

24,522 

75,067 
18,426 



81 $71,678 1^1,815 $93,493 



GovrsE' 

ITCIS. 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 



Gh. MufBcas. 



Males. Fem. Total. Abaeot. 
233 392 625 82 
307 397 797 

897 1,160 2,058 
297 592 949 



111 
129 
214 
203 



166 
U\ 
403 
379 



277 
678 
617 
726 



48 
81 
68 
24 
47 
125 
69 



Additions. 



BlMOfALS. 



Baptisms. 



Prof: Let. Total. D*th. Dis. £xo. Total. Ad. Inf. 



47 30 

33 30 

145 102 

40 33 

7 4 

57 42 

32 19 

47 76 



77 
63 

247 
73 
11 
99 
51 

123 



7 24 
15 19 

8 111 
12 34 

2 13 

8 44 



4 35 
34 

5 124 



4 

4 



49 
43 



4 
4 
8 
6 




50 
19 
60 
59 
47 



17 

9 16 

43 U 

6 26 



3 
4 



TotaL 2,391 3,730 6,727 544 
9. 292 534 941 46 



3 
17 



16 20 
10 29 



408 336 744 60 3.37 31 428 108 122 
22 37 59 14 34 6 54 17 20 



Bab. 
School. 
385 
925 
734 
876 
385 
559 
413 
902- 

6178 
938 



Total. 2,68a 4,260 7,668 690 430 373 803 74 371 37 482 125 142 6116 



84 



American CangregaHonal StaUstics for 1858. [Jiir. 



Showing an apparent gain of 6 churches, 
and an apparent loss of 1,106 members; 
but of this last we have no certaintjr, inas- 
much as the papers furnished us do not 
tell how many churches are imreported 
in 1858, while all in 1857 were reported. 
Indiana is another obscure field. It 
has a General Association, but does not 
yet publish its statistics. In 1857 it had 
33 churches, of which 13 were vacant; 
the 20 remaining were supplied hy 14 
ministers, with 1,178 members. We pre- 
sume we should not greatly err, to insert 
the same number of members the present 
year, though from advance sheets, we see 
that the Year Book gives but 30 churches 
and 788 members. Some of these chur- 
ches are now in an encouraging state of 
prosperity, but the most are scattered, 
weak in numbers and resources, ntiisre- 
presented by their enemies and misun- 



derstood by^e world. Of Congregation- 
alism in Indiana, probably the sentence 
printed in our school-boy Atlases, on tiie 
interior of Afriqa, would do very well : 
^ This country has never been explored." 
If "to err is human," the Illinois 
General Association is richly endowed 
with humanity ; their statistics are a tissue 
of errors from beginning to end. Out of 
nine Associations, only ofie is added np 
with tolerable correctness — a fact which 
reconciles us to the absence of addition in 
the Smnmary. Unless it is the way they 
add out there, we cannot account for a 
publication which, evidently, nobody ever 
had charge of. An amount of labor 
worthy of a better cause, gives us the fol- 
lowing, which includes one Church from 
the Wiscondn Minutes, and excludes St 
Louis, Mo. : 



Chxtrchks. 



MlKI>TKB8. 



Te«r. 

1857 
1858 



With pastor. With st. sop. Vacant. Total. 
128 ^ 29 167 

128 31 159 



Pastors. St. sup. Others. Total. 
129 34 163 

124 28 152 



Chvkoh Mkmbebs. 



ADDITXOirS. 



RUfOVALS. 



Baptisms. 



JU. 



Tear. Males. Fein. Total. Absent. Prof. Let. Total. D^th. Bis. 

1857 9,310 .... 549 754 1,303 92 512 

1858 3,167, 4,766 10,250 1,472 1,214 1,077 2,291 88 625 



Sab. 



Xzc. Total. Ad. Inf. Scbool. 
26 630 336 8,721 

34 747 351 291 10,139 



Showing a net gain of 2 churches, 940 
members, and 1,418 in Sabbath Schools. 
The Illinois churches seem to average 65 
and a fraction ; 31 churches exceed 100 
in membership, of which 4 exceed 200, 
and one of the four exceeds 300. The 
figures show at least a good degree of 
progress in the State. 

The Michigan statistics for 1858, re- 
mind us very strongly of the boy whom a 
traveller found loitering about, minus a 
certain very useful garment; "where's 
your shirt, my boy V " said he. " Moth- 



er's washing it," was the reply, uttered in 
decidedly contemptuous tones. "Wash- 
ing it ! Haven't you more than one shirt ?" 
said the traveller. "Would ye have a 
fellow have a thousand shirts .* " was the 
surly and conclusive answer. The Mich- 
igan statistics furnish two columns, with a 
sovereign disdain of the other items which 
other Bodies waste paper upon. Those 
two will be discovered by examining the 
following table, in which, by ingenious 
arrangement, we have manufactured sev- 
eral columns : 



Chusohbs. 



HinisTBms. 



Tear. 
1857 
1858 



With pastor. With st. sap. Vacant. Total. 
75 35 110 

86 29 115 



Pastors. St. sup. Others. Total. 
61 23 84 

76 14 90 



Cbtjbch Mxmbku. 



Additiokb. 



RSMOTALS. 



Baptibhs. 



Sab. 



Tear. Males. 
1867 .... 

loOo • • • • 



Vem. Total. Absent. Prof. Let. Total. DHh. Dis. £zc. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 
.... 5,574 .... 295 303 598 51 191 26 268 

. . • • O, loo ...a ... .*• OZU •• •.• .. ... .. .. ..•• 



1859.] American Coi^egdioml StaUdicifor 1858. 



85 



B J wliich we learn there has been a gain 
of 614 members, and a great decline in 
statistical energy. 

The Wisconsin Presbyterian and Con- 
gregational Convention unites 180 Con- 
gregational chorches in Wisconsin, 1 
Congregational Church in BUnois, and 1 
in Minnesota, with 28 Presbyterian 
churches. The imion of the two denomi- 
natioos oan hardly be very perfect, inas- 
much as there are 25 Old School and 44 



New School Presbyterian churches be- 
ddes. The wisdom of the union is none 
of our business, but the figures are ; and 
we are particularly obliged to the Statis- 
tical Secretary for, this year, designating 
the denominational character of each 
Church. Transferring the two churches 
to their respective States, adding two 
from the Minnesota statistics, subtracting 
the Presbyterians in each year, and fill- 
ing up defects, we find the following : 



Ohukchxs. 



1857 
1868 



WHh pMtor. ynOx tt. 
24 77 

17 92 



■op. 



Yacant. 
30 
23 



Total. 
131 
132 



PMton. 
22 
17 



Monfms. 



St. tap. 
74 
82 



Otbert. 
23 
33 



Total. 
129 
132 



Chubch KmiBH. 



AosmoRB. 



EmOTALS. 



Tc 

1857 
1858 



MiJm. 7«m. 



Total. 

5,915 

7,242 



AlMent. 

. • • • 
526 



Prof. Iitt. Total. D'th. Dis. 

492 598 1,090 59 359 

1,078 763 1,841 73 391 



Baptums. 

^ 4 — * — ^ Sab. 

Eso. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 
34 452 166 218 5,242 
58 522 401 353 7,518 



Showing a net gain of one Church, 1,327 
members, 2,276 in Sabbath Schools, and 
that the number of persons joining by 
profession in the. latter year, was more 
than double that of the former. The 



churches average, each, 54 and a fraction. 
The Iowa statistics are not as good as 
they will be next year, but they might be 
a great deal worse. The eight Associa- 
tions foot up as follows : 



Chdrohu. 



T««r. 
1857 
1858 



With PMtor. With St. fup. Vacant. Total. 
10 58 36 104 

13 59 48 120 



Paaton. 
10 
13 



HI1VI8TBB4. 



St. sup. 

56 

59 



others. 

17 
33 



Total. 
83 
105 



1857 
1858 



CBUBOB MlMBSBS. 



Additxorb. 



MalaB. Ytai. 



Total. 
3,542 
4,123 



Abient. 



Prof. Let. 
193 393 
506 427 



RXMOTAU. 



Total. D^h. Dta. 
596 39 193 
933 27 217 



Baptisms. 

> . — * . Sab. 

Eze. Total. Ad. Inf. School. 
13 245 48 95 2,743 
21 265 156 139 4,118 



The statistics of the Minnesota Gen- churches, was 31. The Minutes for the 

eral Conference for 1857, included only present year have not been issued; but 

one pdnt, viz : that of the number of the Statistical Secretary furnishes us the 

churches, which, excluding the Wisconsin following summary for 1858 : 



Gbubohxs. 



HnmrtEB. 



1857 
1858 



With pastor. With st. sup. Vacant. 

• • • • • • 

8 21 18 



Total. 
81 
42 



Pastors. 

. . 
8 



St. sap. 
21 



others. 

• . 
8 



Total. 

• • 

27 



Cbuboh MBUBims. 



AsDRnirs. 



RSMOTALS. 



Baptums. 



Tsar. Males. 
1858 474 



Sab. 



Pem. Total. Absent. Prof. Let. Total. D*th. Die. Eze. Total Ad. Inf. School. 
524 998 71 127 267 394 5 35 .. 40 40 39 



We are aware of but one Congrega- 
tional Church in Missouri ; that of Dr. 
Post in St. Louis, which is reported, or 
purports to be, in the Illinois Minutes. In 



1857, this Church reported 160 members ; 
11 additions by profession, and five by let- 
ter ; one removed by death, and two by 
dismission. In 1858, it makes no report 



86 



American Cariffr^atianal JSUaUstM/ar 186& [Jak. 



There appear to have been, in 1857, 6 
churches in Nebraska, with 2 mimstera 
and 92 members; the advance sheets of 
the Year Book inform us that in 1858 
there are 8 churches, with 4 ministers, 
and 144 members. 

The General Association of Kansas, 
from the recent date of its origin, and 
other causes easily understood, furnishes 
no Terj satisfactory statistics. According 
to the statistics of 1857, there were 8 
churches, having 7 pastors or stated sup- 
plies, with 85 members, — two of the 
churches making no report There were 
also 3 Societies without churches, and six 
ministers. This number of churches dif- 
fers from the number as given in last 
year's Year Book, where several preach- 
ing stations, or Societies, are inserted as 
churches. For the present year we have 
no other information than that contained 
in the Year Book for 1859, which may 
perhaps need modification from the cause 
above alluded to, and which gives 18 
churches, 13 ministers, and 139 members. 



According to last year's Year Book, 
there appear to have been 13 churches in 
Oregon, and 10 ministers. At the ses- 
sion of the Oregon Aasociation, held at 
Forest Grove, Washington County, it ap- 
peared that Oregon contains eight Congre- 
gational churches, 18 stations, 284 Church 
members, and 238 in the Sabbath Schools. 
This apparent falling off is evidently due 
to an incorrect estimate the previous year. 

The statistics of California are so 
painfully heterogeneous in their nature, 
both for 1857, and 1858, as almost to defy 
reduction to any order. Our sympathies 
with our brethren on the Pacific coast 
would be greatiy heightened if they would 
furnish, a littie more carefully, the infor- 
mation we need. The publications of that 
Greneral Association for the two years are 
entirely different from the statistics as pub- 
lished in the Year Books, as any one will 
see who will compare the reports of the 
latter with the following tables, which we 
have constructed with great misgivings : 





Ghukobbs. 




MnnsTXRs. 


Yenr. 

1857 
1858 


With pastor. With st. sup. Vacant. Total. Pastors. 
8 6 8 12 8 
8 4 4 11 8 


St. sup. Othen. Total. 
6 6 15 
5 7 15 




Chubcr Mimbibs. ADsinoirs. 




Rxmotals. Baptisms. 


Tear. Males. Pern. Total. Absent. Prof. Let. Total. 
1857 - . 463 . . 


D'th. 


Dis. Xzo. Total. Ad. Infl School. 
536 


1858 


515 67 77 48 128 


4 


17 8 24 17 20 828 



The following tables contain a summary 
of the preceding statistics for the years 
1857, and 1858. That they are to be re- 
ceived with great allowance is evident 
from the foregoing remarks. It is also to 
be taken into consideration that in addi- 
tion to the number of churches enumer- 
ated below for 1858, there are at least 
225 other churches, Independent, or con- 
nected with Presbyterians ; and also that 
243 of the 2,367 churches enumerated 
make no report of additions or losses. It is 
supposed, however, that the number of 
Church members is given with sufficient 



exactness, inasmuch as those who cannot 
be counted, are hardly worth counting. 
It will be seen, also, that in only a portion 
of the States do they have any children — 
a very surprising feature when we con- 
sider the rapid growth of our country. 

Outside of the United States the Year 
Book enumerates 79 churches in Canada, 
with 55 ministers and 3,712 members; six 
churches, four ministers, and 420 mem- 
bers in Jamaica, three churches and three 
ministers in New Brunswick, and two 
churches with two ministers in Nova 
Scotia. 



1869.] American Chngregationai StoHsties far 18( 

THE GHUBGHES AND HINISTEBS IN 1857: 



87 









GHuacHCt. 










MurWTXBB. 




• 


WithpMtaK 


^tiltt.Mip. 


Taeant. 


TOTAA. 


PmIoxs. Bt. rap. 


Otl^en. 


Total. 


Maine, 


88 




96 


53 


238 


89 




72 


46 


207 


New Hampihire, 


93 




54 


38 


185 


93 


• 


54 . 


27 


174 


Yennont, 


69 




71 


53 


193 


70 




69 


55 


194 


MasMchiuetts, 


342 




60 


75 


477 


352 




60 


157 


567 


Bhode Island, ' 


17 




3 


2 


22 


17 




3 


• • • 


20 


Gonnecticat, 


196 




45 


42 


283 


200 




45 


120 


366 


New York, 




124 




51 


175 


44 




85 


45 


174 


New Jenej, 


3 




• • 


• • 


3 


3 




• • 


1 


4 


Pennaylyania, 


16 




2 


8 


26 


16 




2 


1 


19 


Ohio, 


88 




40 


30 


108 


31 




36 


37 


107 


Indiana, 




20 




13 


33 




14 




• • 


14 


niinoia. 




128 




29 


157 




L29 




34 


163 


Michigan, 




75 




35 


110 


\ 


61 




23 


84 


Wisconain, 


24 




77 


30 


131 


22 


• • 


74 


23 


129 


Iowa, 


10 




58 


36 


104 


10 




56 


17 


83 


Miaaouri, 


1 




• • 


• • 


1 


1 




• • 




1 


lOnnesota, 


• • 




• • 


• • 


31 


• • 




• • 




• • 


Nebraaka, 


2 




• • 


3 


5 


2 




• • 




2 


Kanaaa, 




7 




2 


8 




12 






12 


Oregon, 


• • 




• 
• • 


• • 


13 


• • 




• • 




10 


California, 


8 




6 


3 


12 


3 




6 


6 


15 


Total, 


• • • • 




• • • • 


503 


2,315 


• • • • 


• 


• • • 


■ • • • 


2,344 



THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCHES IN 1857, AND THEIR CHANGES THE 

YEAR PRECEDING : 







GnuaoH MwraKaa 


■ 


Addhioks. 


J 


ElXXOTALB. 




BAPTIBia. 


















A 












J 




Rab. 
School. 




Obhi. 


Halcf. 


Vem. 


Total. 


AbMnt. ProC 


Let. 


Total. 


DUh. 


Dia. 


ISxo. 


Tot. 


Ad. Inf. i 


lUfaM, 


288 


4.685 


9,608 


16,648 


2,466 462 


248 


686 


266 


294 


28 


683 


806 


266 


18,672 


K.H. 


186 


6,681 


12,009 


19,179 


« • * 


688 


884 


917 


812 


421 


18 


749 


876 


878 


• • * • 


Vt 


198 


8^888 


6,870 


17,214 


2,140 816 


801 


616 


206 


826 


16 


747 


• • • 


147 


• • • • 


Hum. 


477 21,067 


46,648 


68,094 


10,889 1,848 


1,710 


8,668 


1,181 1,849 166 8,186 


796 1,870 


70,602 


B.L 


22 


. • . . 


« • • • 


8,241 


• • • 


72 


62 


124 


88 


66 


2 


90 


87 


84 


4,210 


Coon. 


88811,429 


28,086 


48,967 


8,116 989 


746 


1,684 


648 


891 


76 1,614 


872 


760 


• • • • 


H.T. 


176 


4.706 


8,116 


14,682 


848 767 


688 


1,476 


162 


624 


61 


K38 


268 


887 


10,487 


H.J. 


8 


221 


418 


689 


15 24 


80 


64 


6 


18 


• ■ 


28 


9 


10 


800 


PMui* 


86 


• . . . 




1,671 


. • • 


2 


11 


13 


• • 


15 


1 


16 


• • • 


9 


826 


OUo. 


106 


1,897 




8,774 


• • • 


281 


267 


766 


60 


248 


15 


818 


87 


88 


6,784 


iDd. 


88 


. . . • 




1478 


. • • t 


• • • 


• • • 


• • • 


• • 


• • 


• • 


• • 


• • 


• « 


• • • • 


IlL 


157 


• • • • 




9,810 


. . . • 


649 


764 


1,808 


92 


612 


26 


680 


-«6- 


8,721 


Mich. 


110 


. • • . 




6,674 


. • • < 


285 


808 


698 


61 


191 


86 


868 


• • 


• • 


• • • • 


WlK. 


181 


• «• « 




6,915 


... 1 


482 


688 


IfilBQ 


69 


869 


84 


468 


166 


218 


6,242 


Jova. 


104 


•••• 




8,642 


• • • 


198 


893 


606 


89 


193 


18 


846 


48 


95 


2,748 


Wmo, 


1 


• • t • 




100 


• • • 1 


11 


6 


16 


1 


2 




4 






100 


Mnn. 


81 


• • t • 




644 


• • • 










• • 










• • • a 


H«far. 


5 


. . • • 




92 


• • • 










• • 










• • • • 


Ktirf** 


8 


• • . . 




86 


. • • 










• • 










• • • • 


Ongon. 


18 


. • . . 




260 


... 










• • 










• « • • 


GUil 


12 


.... 




468 


• • ■ 1 










• • 










686 


Total, 2,815 


• • • • 




220,882 


• • • i 




.. ] 


18,606 




■ • 


• • 


9651 






• • • • 



88 



American CongregcHanai Statit^for 1858. 

THE GHUBGHES AND MINISTBBS IN 1858: 



[JA5. 









CHuaouB. 

A 
















maatEMB. 






With pssior. 


Wilh St. sap. 


Taeanl. 


TOTAJL. 


Psstois. St. sap. 


Othcxs. 


Total. 


Maine, 


88 




98 


55 


242 


89 


76 


36 


201 


New Hampihire, 


86 




66 


82 


184 


86 


64 


31 


181 


Yermonty 


66 




83 


41 


190 


67 


78 


50 


195 


MasMchosetts, 


349 




63 


70 


482 


358 


63 


165 


586 


Rhode Island, 


17 




3 


2 


22 


17 


3 


• • • 


20 


Connecticnt, 


177 




37 


68 


282 


180 


37 


115 


331 


New York, 


45 




107 


26 


178 


45 


72 


68 


185 


New Jertey, 


4 




• • • 


• • 


4 


4 


• • 


1 


5 


Pennsylyania, 


• •• 




• • • 


• • 


27 


• • • 


• • 


• • • 


22 


Ohio, 


• • • 




• • • 


• • 


114 


24 


57 


37 


118 


Indiana, 




16 




• • 


30 


• • • 


• • 


• • • 


16 


IllinoU, 




128 




31 


159 




124 


28 


152 


Michigan, 


# 


86 




29 


115 




76 


14 


90 


Wisconsin, 


17 




92 


23 


132 


17 


82 


33 


132 


Iowa, 


13 




59 


48 


120 


13 


59 


33 


105 


Missouri, 


1 




• • • 


• • 


1 


1 


• • 


• • 


1 


Minnesota, 


3 


• 


21 


18 


42 


3 


21 


3 


27 


Nebraska, 


• • • 




• • • 


• • 


8 


• • • 


• • 


• • • 


4 


Kansas, 


• • • 




• • • 


• • 


18 


• • • 


• • 


• • • 


13 


Oregon, 


• • • 




• • • 


• • 


8 


• • • 


• • 


• • • 


9 


California, 


3 




4 


4 


11 


3 


5 


7 


15 


Total, 








447 


2,369 


• • • • 


• • • • 


• • • • 


2,408 



THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCHES IN 1858, AND THEIR CHANGES THE 

YEAR PRECEDING : 



GauaoH BfaMBias 



Maine. 
N. H. 
Vt. 
Mass. 

B. I. 

Oonn. 

N.Y. 

N.J. 

P«Dn. 

Ohio, 

Ind. 

111. 

Mich. 

Wis. 

Iowa. 



Minn. 
Ncbr. 



Oreson. 
Calif: 



Gbbs. MalM. 
242 4,924 

184 6^71 
190 6,404 

482 21,426 

«2k .... 

282 10,823 

178 6,882 

4 227 

ml .... 

114 2,638 

30 .... 

169 8,167 

116 .... 

182 .... 

120 .... 

X • • • • 

42 474 

o .... 

JL0 .... 

Jlo .... 

11 .... 



Fvm. 

10,481 
11,880 
10,807 
46,668 

.... 
21,969 

9,467 
468 

.... 

4,260 

• • • • 

4,766 



Total Absent. Prof. 
17,689 2,687 1,407 

20,368 8,871 1,800 

19,666 2,476 715 



8,892 .... 195 
42,078 8,118 925 
16,778 1,008 1,694 



624 



aodrions. bshotals. baptisms. 

* » 4 * . . — * — . Sab. 

Let. Total. D'th. DIs. Xzo. Tor. Ad. Inf. School. 

478 1,886 294 660 46 888 688 8U 19,486 

466 1,766 898 624 27 1,064 660 878 20,868 

406 1,120 884 480 16 811 888 267 18,768 

68,466 10,614 2,898 2,027 6,020 1,186 1,918 87 8,in 1,298 1,411 78,210 

101 286 48 72 12 188 106 46 4,126 

766 1,691 608 888 48 1,486 860 718 .... 

707 2,401 197 678 48 828 747 478 ll^Bl 

28 141 162844248 13 460 

10 84 1 8 .. 4 18 2 .... 

878 808 74 871 87 482 126 142 6,116 

1,472 1,214 1,077 2,281 88 626 84 747 851 281 10488 

■ ••• •••• ••• G^mM ••• ••• • ••• ••• ••• •••• 

768 1341 78 881 68 622 401 868 7^18 

427 988 27 217 21266166188 4,118 

... .... ... ... .. ... .•• ... AUv 

267 884 6 86 .. 40 40 88 .... 

••• •••• ••• ••• •• •• ••• «•• •••• 

••• •••• ••• ••• •• ••• ••• ••• •••• 

19 83 

46 128 4 17 8 24 17 20 

. . . 21,582 • 10,602 ... ... ... 



728 

1,440 

7,668 

788 

10,260 

6,188 

7,242 

4,128 

160 

983 

144 

188 

284 

616 



81 



680 



118 

24 

430 



626 



1,078 
600 



71 127 



67 



14 

77 



Total. 2,369 



230,094 



1869.] 



Literary Notieea. 



89 



From iiiese tables fihere appear to be, at 
the present time, in the United States, 2,S6 9 
Congr^ational churches,* of whom 1,922 
have Pastors or stated supplies. These 
2,369 churches haye 230,094 members, of 
whom 21,582 have been added dorpg the 
last jear, against 10,602 removals by 
death, dismission and otherwise. 

So fiir, tilien, as the Ibr^oing statistics 
ihed light upon the progress of Congre- 
gationalism among us for the period 
to which they i^et^ there seems to be a 
gain of 54 new churches, 64 ministers, 
and 9,762 Church members; there hav- 
ing been 951 more removals from the 
churches, and 8,077 more additions to 



them, during 1857-8, than during 1856-7. 
There are also 56 fewer churches reported 
without the means of grace. In all prob- 
ability, the statistics next published — 
which will include the fruits of that great 
Revival with which Grod has so richly 
blessed the American churches — will shew 
much greater, and more gratifying tokens 
of advance. We trust that the science 
of statistics in the mean time may so com- 
mend itself to all proper authorities, that 
our labor — should we be spared then to 
go over the same ground — ^may be lighter, 
and more thoroughly remunerative in its 
results. 



§00h8 0f ^rdtxtni its Congrjegatibnalists. 

^^^It will be our object tinder this head to notice (quarterly such (mainly new) works as 
promise to be of special interest to Congregational ministers and laymen. We cannot afford 
space — ^nor does it comport with the design of this Journal — to notice general literature.— Eds. 



The Sabbath Htxn Book : for the ser- 
vice of »ong in the House of the Lord, — 
Compiled by E, A, Parkj D.D., Austin 
Phelps f D,D,t and Lowell Mcuon, Doctor 
of Music, New York : Mason Bros. Bos- 
ton : J. £. Tilton & Co. 16mo. pp. 957. 

This volume contains 1,290 Hymns, 24 
Doxologies, 58 Selections for Chanting, 
and 128 jMiges of Indexes, — of which one is 
a Logical Classification of the Hymns ; one, 
an Alphabetical Index of the Subjects of 
the Hymns ; one, an Alphabetical Index of 
Subjects of the Sdections for Chanting; 
one, a Biblical Index ; one, an Index of the 
First lines of Hymns ; one, an Index of the 
Hrst lines of Stanzas ; and one, an Index 
of Authors. 

This 16mo edition, which is in very clear 
tjrpe* and superior style, is sold at retail, in 
sheep binding, for one dollar. An edition 
in somewhat finer tyi)e, with the Hymns 
in double columns, will soon be issued, 
and will retail at about sixty-three cents. 
An edition with tunes adapted to the 
Hymns will also soon be published, at the 
retail price of one dollar and a quarter; and 
the tunes will also be printed by them- 
eelves, in a volume which will retail at 
thirty 'five^ or fifty cents, 
12 



This Hymn Book has the advantage of 
having been for many years in preparation, 
in able hands. Its inception dates back to 
the best years of the life of the late Prof. 
B. B. Edwards, who, in company with one 
of the present editors, laid out the plan of 
such a book, and commenced collecting for 
it, in this country and in Europe. After 
Prof. Edwards' lamented death, his distin- 
guished colleague carried on the labor, call- 
ing to his aid the culture and abilities of 
the two eminent men now connected with 
him in the work. 

The principles on which this Manual for 
the service of song has been prepared are 
thus noted by its publishers : 

1. It is designed to be a Manual of De- 
votion, 

2. It is designed to be a Manual of De- 
votion to the Redeemer, 

3. It is designed to be a Biblical gnide 
and aid to Devotion. 

4. It contains a large number of the 
tried hynans of the Church. 

5. It contains some of the ripest fruits 
of modem Hymnology. 

6. Special effort has been made to secure 
for it some of the richest hymns on the 
most difficult subjects. 



90 



latermy Notiea. 



|Jijr. 



7. Sjpedal effort baa beenmade to Beeure 
tariety and appropxiateness of subject and 
■style. 

8. It contains a large number of hyinnB 
impropriate to special occasions. 

0. It is incidentally designed for nae in 
tha£Emiily, and in the choir. 

10. It has aimed at a decidedly lyrical 
character. 

11. Special effort has been made to se- 
lect for it those readings of hymns which 
are best in themseWes, and best adapted to 
actual use in our churches. 

12. It has aimed to adopt the most lucid 
and natural arrangement of its h3rmns, and 
to famish the fullest and most logical in- 
dexes. 

We regret that the necessarily narrow 
limits of a mere Book notice, like this, 
must wholly prevent us from any such ex- 
tended and thorough reriew of the <* Sab- 
bath Hymn Book" as its pecidiarities de- 
mand. We do not know that we can do 
better, under all the circumstances, by way 
of aiding our readers to form some just 
judgment in regard to it, than by taking 
up some one feature of its many-sidedness, 
and endeavoiing, by some minute analysis, 
to show them how it has peifonned its 
work. We select its department of new 
hymns, as being at once one of its most 
distinguishing peculiarities, and one in 
which the public will natoially feel espe- 
cial interest. 

We proceed, therefore, to make room for 
a few specimens of these new Hymns, here 
garnered for public use — ^presenting them 
by classes, according to their subjects. 

1. New Hymns on Christ* A rich hymn, 
certainly, and one which we think will 
wear well in the sanctuary, is this (H. 302) : 

There if none other name Uiad tUne, 
JeboTah Jenu ! Namedirine! 
On which to rettlbr eioB ft»givea— 
For peace with Ood, for hope of hearen. 
&e. fro. 

^e are apt to think too little of a risen 
Saviour. There are some new hymns here 
peculiarly fitted to draw us toward our 
ascended, and triumphant Lord. Take the 
last stanza of Hymn 366 ; only true love to 
Jesus can breathe such a prayer : 

SaTioar, dnee tfaoa art gone before, 
Oh, grant that we maj go 



Where ifai% dark empire lino non, 
And death a vanqniihed foe ! 

So, there is a grandeur worthy of the theme 
in the last stanza of Hymn 357 : 

All hail, trimnphant Lord ! 

The renirrection thou ; 
AU haU, ineamatelArd ! 
Before th j throne we bow : 
OaptiTi^ ifl captire led, 
For Jeens liTeth whowaf dead. 

in like manner. Hymn 434, " Oh speak of 
Jesus,'* makes more precious to us that 
name which 



" foils like nraeic on tiie w, 
When nothing elae ean soothe or eheer.'* 

•Is there anything upon the theme *< Christ 
loved imseen," equal to the following, by 
Dr. Palmer. (H. 689) : 

Jesns, these eyes hare never seen 

That radiant form of thine ! 
The veil of sense hangs dark between 

Thy blessed foce and mine ! 

I see thee not, I hear thee not, 

Yet art thon oft with me ; 
And earth hath ne'er so dear n spot, 

As where I meet with thee. 

Like some bright dream that e(unes unsoni^t. 

When slumbers o'er me roll, 
Thine image ever fills raython^t, 

And charms my ravished soul. 

Yet though I have not seen, and sttU 

Must rest in foith alone ; 
I love Ihee, dearest Lord !— and will. 

Unseen, but not Unknown. 
&e. kc. 

In Hymn 747, by Bonar, we haye a Tiew 
of the believing sinner's relation to the 
Atonement, too seldom presented. The 
hymn is admirable in its graphic power : 

I see the crowd in Pilate's ball, 

I mark their wrathful mien ; 
Their shonts of ** cradfy" appall, 

With blasphemy between. 

And of that shouting multitude 

I feel that I am one ; 
And in that din of voices rude, 

I recognise my own. 

I see the scourges tear his back, 

I see the piercing crown, 
And of that crowd who smote and mock, 

I feel tiiat I am one. 
Around yon cross, the throng I aee. 

Mocking the sufforer's groan ; 
Yet still my voice it seems to be, 

As if I mocked alone. 

T was I that shed the sacred blood ; 

I nailed him to the tree ; 
I crucified the Christ of Qod, 

I joined the mockery ! 

^d when we come to the last stanza we 
are melted to tears : 



186a] 



JMmmry 



dl 



XI»«kMMt MiagrBi^iia! 
And Boi tiM ]a« that wm pMtailf 
To gN» AM pMM irlfhin ! 

In like maimer, Hymn 746 will commend 
itself^ for its touching omplicity, to all who 
know by expenenoe what it is to 'lay' 
their < ainay' * goilti' ' wanta,' ' grie&,' *eaie8»' 
* on Jeaua.' One can almost imagine the 
bdored diadple utteiiBg himaelf in ita last 
lines: 

I tong to bo Uko Jooiu, 

■••k, loTtef , lotriy, mild ; 
, I loag to te Wm JcMia, 

VioFalhorlibolyofalld: 
I tong to bo Uko Jobiu 

Amid tho liMtoiily thronff, 
VoriDflrwkhaointi hio pralM, 

Toioara Ibo ■ngolo' foog. 

It la one dioiee exoellence of this new 
Mannal of song that it ia so rich in thia 
department of h jmna pertaining to Chriat 
and the Atonement, — so fall of the Cross, 
and the loye of which it ia the affecting 
symbol. 

2. Ntw Vernoiu ofSeriptwre Ljfrict. The 
Editors remarii in the introduction, that 
they *' haTe sought for the choicest metrical 
versions of passages from the Bible." Al- 
though we do not find some of Watts' yer- 
sions of the Psalms, yet this is, eninently, 
a Biblical Hymn Book. Its compilers seem 
to haye had constantly in mind the feet that 
** as we depart from the Biblical standard, 
we are in danger of introducing a morbid 
pietism In the place of a healthftil piety." 
Some of the Hymns are literal yersions of 
passages from the Bible. Hymn 37, <* Un- 
to the Lord, unto the Lord," &c., admirably 
presents the old Hebrew style and spirit of 
the 96th Psalm, successfidly preserving 
eren its repetitions. Hymn 195, beginning : 

Up to tho hillo I lifl miso ojroo, 
Thore oU ray hope if laid ; « 

Tbo Lord nbo built tho earth and iklee,~ 
tttfUL Mm wm eomo mine aid. 

is ahnoet a literal rendering of the 121st Ps., 
'* I will lift up mine eyes imto the hills," 
Iec. Hymn 821 bears almost as exact a re- 
lation to someportionsof the 63d of Isaiah. 
So Hymn 868, beginning : 

Not ta the mount that buniad with flame, 
To da ik ne m , tempest, and the eound 

Of tmmpet'B tone that, itartling came, 
Nor Tolee of wofda that rent the ground,— 

&c., seems to be repeating the sublimities 



of the 12th of HebiewB. Hysms 1179, and 
1273 are of the same dasa. 

3. New Dootrinai Hynm». This is a very 
important ftature, for much may be dona 
in the songs of the sanctuary to inte»> 
weave the great doctiinea of our &ith witli 
the pleasant assodationa of the pec^le; 
and something haa aometimes been done in 
the opposite direction, from the same source. 
The hymns generally, of this class, in this 
book, are admirable, and especially those 
upon the doctiinea of Election, and the Per- 
severance of the Saints. They appeal 
to the heart to receive and love the sub- 
lime truth which they express. Our Meth- 
odist brethren would hardly refdse to sing 
such a hymn as the 237th, by Dr. Palmer : 

Lord, my weak thought in vain would elhnh 
To iearoh tha atanr mult profound ; 

In Tain would wing her flight sublime, 
To And ereation'B outmoot bound. 

But weaker jet tliat thought mnit prove 
To OMNh thy gstat eternal plan^~ 

Thy eorereign oouneele, bom of love 
Long agee ere the world began. 

When my dim reaion would demand 
Why that, or thie, thou doet ordain. 

By some vast deep I teem to itand, 
Whoee eeerete I muat aek in vain. 

When doublf difturb my tioabled bmast, 

And all ie dark aa niglit to me, 
Here, as on eolid rook, I rest ; 

That so it seemeth good to thee. 

Be thia my Joy, that evermoie 
Thou mleet aU thingi at thy wiU : 

Thy sovereign wiedom I adore, 
And eahnly, sweetty, trust thee stUI. 

Every humble grateful Christian, what- 
ever his creed, will welcome and love to 
sing, such words as these : (H. 240.) 

Oglftof gifts! O Qraoe of ftith ! 

My God, how oan it be 
That thou, who hast dlseemlng love, 

Shouldst giro that gift to me ! 
How many hearts thou might*st ha?e had 

More innoeent tlian mine ! 
How many souls more worthy fkr 

Of Uiat pure touch of thine ! 

Ah, Grace ! into unllkeliest hearts 

It is thy boast to oome ; 
The glory of thy light to And 

In dariEest spots a home. 

so., Am. 

The same may be said of the Hymn 977, 
on the ** Saints' Perseverance." 

4. New Hymna of Joy, The Bible repre- 
sents divine worship as a joyful exercise. 
We are pleased, therefore, to find in this 
volume, many hymns of this character ; 



92 



Literary Notices. 



[Jak. 



hymns of joy in God, in Christ ; of de- 
light in the Gospel and its ordinances, and 
a great variety appropriate to occasions of 
Tarious Thanksgiving. Among these we 
like Hymn 30; « Oh hallowed is the land 
and blest," &c. ; and Hymn 279, on « the 
miracles of Christ:" 



Oh, when Is ha that tiod the i 

Oh when if ha that spake, 
And lepexs ftom their pains are free, 

And slayee their Sitters break ? 

Tlie lame and palsied freelj rise, 

With Joy tlM dumb do sing ; 
And, on tlM darkened, blinded eyes, 

Glad beams of morning luring ! 

It is suited tc inspire the belieyer with 
new joy in Christ, to sing such words as 
these, (H. 439) : 

I*Te foond the pearl of greatest prioe ; 

Ky heart doth sing Ibr Joy ; 
And sing I mnst, Ibr Chtlst Is mine— 

Quist shaU my song employ ; 

&c„ and these, (H. 753,) on the theme, 
** There is laid up for me a crown ;" 

My heart ibr gladness springs ; 

It cannot more be sad ; 
Hot my yij it smiles and sings, — 

Sees nan^t bat sunshine glad. 

The snn that lights mine eyes. 

Is Ohrist, tlie Lord I loye ; 
I sing for Joy of that which lies 

Stored up for me abore. 

5. New Hymns expressing simplicity of 
Christian feeling. We think the whole 
book is characterized, in an unusual de- 
gree, by hymns of this class, while there 
are many peculiarly excellent in this de- 
partment. Who does not love a hymn of 
such tender and touching simplicity as 
this, by Bonar, (H. 551) : 

I was a wandering sheep, 

I did not loTe the fold, 
I did not lore my Shepherd^s rolee, 

I would not be controlled. 

I was a wayward child, 

I did not lore my home, 
I did not love my Father^s Toice ; 

I loTed afor to roam, 
etc. sc« 

Another exquisite hymn of this descrip- 
tion is the 991 St. 

Purer yet and purer 

I would be in mind, 
Dearer yet and dearer 

Erery duty find ; 

Hoping stIU and trusting 

Qod without a fear. 
Patiently believing 

He will make all clear ; 
fcc. &c. 



This recognition of the eloquence of 
simplicity, in many hymns, gives the book a 
special value for children's use, and there are 
many more appropriate for use in the Sab- 
bath School, and dsewhere, than are direct- 
ly connected with such mention m the Index*. 
See in the Index,. " Simplicity," "Meek- 
ness," *< the mild virtues," &c., &c. It in- 
dicates the many-sidedness of the excel- 
lence of the book also, that it should be 
remarkably well furnished with hymns of 
a bold and stirring type, as see <* Bold 
Virtues" &c., &c., in the Index. 

6. New Penitential Hymns. The broken 
and contrite heart will find its own prayer 
touchingly expressed in the 372d Hymn ; 
<* Plead Thou, Oh, plead my cause !" &c., 
and thousands of penitent spirits will re- 
peat over and over such words as those of 
Bonar, (H. 987) : 

I did thee wrong, my God ; 

I wronged thy truth and love ; 
I fretted at the rod,— 

Against thy power I strove. 
&c. fcc. 

7. New Hymns to the TYimty. H3min 
473, " Great One in Three, great Three in 
One !" &c., will compare favorably with 
the best of those with which we have 
been familiar, while that (the 467th) begin- 
ning: 

Let glory be to Qod on high ; 
Peace be on earth as in the sky ; 
Good will to men ! We bow the knee, 
We praise, we bless, we worship thee ; 
We give thee thanks, tiiy name we sing, 
Almighty Father I Heavenly King: 

is a noble Gloria in Excelsis which, thus 

rendered, will be for us, as for the ancient 

Church, a Hymn for the Ages. 

8. New Hortatory Hymns. This book 
contains an tmusually large number of 
hymns which speak in the first person. 
Mo^ of Bonar's hymns are thus construct- 
ed. Where this is possible, we like it. 
There is more heart in it, and therefore it 
goes straighter to the heart. Hymns of 
self-exhortation are, perhaps, the best hor- 
tatory hymns. What could be more affect- 
ing than to hear each member of the con- 
gregation singing from the heart, such stan- 
zas as these from the 556th Hymn : 

God calling yet ! — shall I not bear ? 
Earth^s pleasures shall I still bold dear ? 
Shall lift's swift passing years aU fly, 
And still my soul in slumbers lie ? 
fcc. 



1859.] 



IMerary Notices. 



93 



9. New ^ymfu on Death and EtemUy, 
What can be finer than this (H. 1169) : 

On* n wt U y icdcmn ihoai^t 

OomM to me o'«r uid o'er, 
M«uc«r my pwdng hoar am I 

Than e'er I was IwfovD. 

Neavar my Tatbar'i hoiue, 

Wbere many manikms be ; 
Nearer the throne where JeeuB reigns— 

Nearer the eiyetal aea i 

Nearer my going home, 

Laytaig my burden down, 
Leaving my ereei of heavy grie^ 

Wearing my itarry erown ; 

Nearer that hidden iCream, 
Winding throng ahadee of night, 

BoUing iti oold, dark wavee between 
Me and the world of light. 

Jeena ! to thee I cling : 

Strengthen my arm of ikith *, 
Stay near me wliile my way-worn feet 

Praaa thioogh the ■treaiH of death. 

Hymns 1173, and 1174, npon the same 

theme aze excellent. But we like perhaps, 

eren better, this, (H. 1177) ; 

No, no, It ia not dying 

To go unto our God ; 

This gloomy earth forsaking, 

Our Joomey homeward taking 

Along the atarry road. 
&o. 

The following (H. 1289,)— upon a very 
difficult theme for the lyzical poet — ^is ten- 
der and solenm : 

FMlker ;— if I may eall thee ao,— 

I tremble with my one desire : 
lift up this heavy load of woe. 

Nor let me in my aina expire ! 

I tremble, leat the wrath divine, 
Wliieh bruises now my sinfkil sool. 

Should bruise and break this soul of mine, 
Long es eternal egcs roll. 

Thy wrath I ter, thy wrath alone, 
This endless exile Lord, from thee ! 

Oh, save ! oh, give me to thy Son, 
Who trembled, wept, and bled for me ! 

10. New Hymnafor the Family, A book 

** for the service of song in the House of 

the Lord" should yet remember, and pro- 

idde for the wants of the fimiily. The'fol- 

lowing Tendon of an old Latin Hymn is 

beantiful for £umly use, (H. 46) : 

Ohfist ! with eaeh returning mom 
Thine image to our heart be borne ; 
And may we erer clearly see 
Our God and Saviour, Lord, in thee ! 
ke. 

In this class also, belongs Hymn 68 : 

Sun of my soul ! thou Saviour dear, 
It is not night if thou be near : 
Oh may no earth-bom cloud arise 
To hide thee frooi thy aerrant^a eyes ! 
he. 



So also the following (H. 1087,) is sure to 
become a favorite in the domestic circle : 

Happy the home, wlien Qod ia there. 

And love fills every breest; 
Where one their wish, and one their prayer, 

And one their lieavenly rest, 
fce. 

This Hymn book will be carried home 
from the House of God, and will be, in 
our judgment, a more indispensable com- 
panion in the closet than any other within 
our knowledge is fitted to be. 

11. New VeraioM of Old Hymns, Many 
of this class are scattered through the yol- 
ume. The best lyrics of the early Church 
— sung by thousands of Christians cen- 
turies ago, here come forth to inspire and 
invigorate the Christianity of the present 
with their lofty strains. Thus, Hymn 96 : 

Thee we adore, eternal Lord ! 
We praise thy name with one accord ; 
Thy saints, who here thy goodness see. 
Through all the world (to worship thee. 

&c., is the old 7^ Detim, 

Hymn 263 : 

All praise to thee, eternal Lord ! 
Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood ; 
Chooeiog a manger for thy throne, 
While worlds on worlds are thine alone. 

&c., is one of Luther's old Chorals; one by 
whose help he made Germany a nation of 
of singers. So Hymn 293 : 

sacred Head, now wounded ! 

With grief and shame weighed down ; 
eaored brow, surrounded 

With thorns, thine only crown ! 

Once on a throne of glory. 

Adorned with light divine. 
Now all despised and gory, 

I Joy to call thee mine. 

is a free version from one of Gerhard, that 
will endear itself to all who can enter with 
personal sympathy into its pathetic signifi- 
cance. Hymns 675, from perhard ; 685, 
from Xavier; and 687, from Bernard, are 
of this class, and a reference to the Lidex 
will show that these versions of the ancient 
hymns of the Church are numerous in the 
volume. 

12. New Hymns expressing love to God and 
Christ, Not a few of these enrich this 
work and will commend it to the affections 
of John-like disciples ; though a colder 
criticism than theirs might sometimes re- 
luct from some of their stanzas. Such is 
Bonar's (H. 418) : 



u 



LiUrmy N<Mm. 



[JiH 



I doaa m J hMTj cje, 

SftTloar, ev»r near ! 
I lift mj ■ool on highf 

Throo^ ttM dariCMie dnat: 
Be thoa my Ught, 1 017, 

SaTioar, erer dear ! 
&e. &e. 

Hymn 653, « Oh, who is like the IkCghty 
One," &c. ; H. 820, "To Calvary, Lord, in 
spirit, now," &c., and H. 686, " Jesus, thou 
Joy of loving hearts !" &c., (firom Bernard, 
by Dr. Palmer) are examples of what we 
mean under this head. 

13. New Oeeasional Hymna, Among these 
are the Wedding Hymn (H. 1141) ; tiiat on 
Summer (H. 1154) ; that excellent one on 
Slavery — ** Lord when thine ancient people 
cried," &c., (H. 1104) ; and that on Peace, 
" Thy footsteps. Lord, with joy we trace," 
&c., (H. 1110.) The arrangement of the vol- 
ume is to intersperse all of this description 
which can be classed under more general 
heads, among others under those general 
heads, rather than to include them all under 
their specific heads. So that a reference to 
the Lidex will disdoaiie a much larger num- 
ber of this description, than a first glance at 
the volume would suggest. 

14. New Hymns of Strength, Some of 
these hymns, or some expressions in them, 
may be objected to, but there are themes 
which cannot be adequately treated in any 
other than the most nervous phrase. A 
hymn, for example on *• Self-sacrifice" will 
naturally take on a severe style of diction. 
Hymn 841, from the Gennan, — ^now wor- 
thy of its theme — ^would fidl, if rendered 
in feebler speech; though it would be 
easy to find fault with its 3d stanza : 

Take away my erring will ; 
All my wayward paadona kill ; 
Tear my heart from out my heart, 
Thoogh it cost me bitter amart. 

Christians often need to sing such stan- 
zas as these ; of Hymn 896 : 

Oft in Borrow, oft in woe, 
Onward, ChiifUan, onward go ! 
Fight the light, maintain the etrilb, 
Strengthened with the bread of lift. 

and this — ^by Duffidd, suggested by the 
last words of Dudley H. Tyng— (H. 902) : 

Stand np !— etand vp for JeeoB ! 

Ye loldieri of the oroei ; 
Lift high hie royal banner, 

It must not euller kM : 



twm Tiet*iy unto Tiefry • 

Hie army ahall he lead, 
nil erery fbe is Tanqoiahed, 

And Ohrift is Lord indeed, 
fce. 

15. New Hymna an the Chtirch, Some of 

the best hymns of the volume are devoted 

to this theme. Beautiful ia Bonar's, (H. 

1019): 

Far down the agee now, 

Mnch of her Joomey done, 
The pilgrim ehoreh poztoea lier way, 

Dntil her erown be won. 

TIm story of the past 

Comes np beftve her tiew; 
How well it seems to stdt her itill— 

Old, and yet erer new ! 

Still grander is the following (H. 1038,) 
by the JSHtu deyener of the great polylin- 
gual Presbyterian : 

Oh, where are kings and empires now 

Of old that w«Bt and eame ? 
But, Lord, thy ehnrch is ptaying ywt, 

A thousand years the same. 

We mailE her goodly battlements, 

And her fonndaflons strong ; 
We hear within the solemn Toioe 

Of her unending song. 

For not like kingdoms of the world 

Thy holy ehnroh, Ood! 
Though earthquake shocks are thrsat*nittg her, 

And tempests are abroad ; 

Unshaken as eternal liiUs, 

ImmoTable she stands, 
A mountain that shall fill the earth, 

A house not made by hands. 

We love these new Hymns, and others 
of which we cannot here make mention. 
We believe that the Church will love them. 

And all our examination persuades us that 
there is so much of the genuine spirit of 
the Bedeemer in this volume, as to make it 
welcome to those who love Hun, for ** the 
service of Song" in Tfia house — though 
each cold critic poring over its pages were 
to cry out ; Macuke, Eheu, macuke ! 

The New Testament, tranahOed firom the 
Original Qreekt with Chrtmohgioai arrange- 
ment of the Sacred Books, and in^proved di- 
visiona of Chapters and Veraea, by Leicester 
Ambroae Sawyer, Boston : John P. Jew- 
ett & Co., 1858. 12mo. pp. 823. Price 
$1.25. 

Few books have been more oveipraised, 
and overcensured than this. To read some 
notices of it, one would think that it well 
nigh amounted to a new revelation. To 
read others, one would almost suppose that 
it was beneath even the contempt of a 



1869.] 



Litentrif Naliee». 



95 



scholar. Neither school of critics is right. 
The work does not deserve that extrayagant 
eulogy which has been bestowed upon it ; 
nor is it by any means beneath the buying, 
and the reading, and the study of those 
who love, and desire to get at the inner- 
most significance of the ** livdy oracles." 

Its author is a Congregational clergyman, 
of good repute in his profession, and has 
long been known as a fiiithful scholar. 
Some four years ago he published a work 
on *' Organic Christianity," which — ^in a 
Tery thorough and able manner — discussed 
the <* CSiurch of God " as an organic entity, 
from a historical and critical point of view, 
arguing strongly, and, as we thought, un- 
answerably, for that pure democracy which 
grew up, under Apostolic hands, at Jerusa- 
lem, and elsewhere. In some respects Mr. 
Sawyer has eminent qualifications as a 
translator of the Word ; others we think he 
lacks. He is inclined to be a little too 
much of a literalist to suit our taste, 
and sometimes forgets that the exact 
English synonyme of the sense which a 
Greek word had 1800 years ago — ^when it 
was set apart from a common to a Biblical 
use — ^is not necessarily now the synonyme of 
the Evangelical sense of that word. Thus 
** change your mind " may literally render 
meUmoMf as it was when Christ laid hold of 
it as the expressive term for the new birth, 
but it does not convey to our minds the 
^^'^•"y^g which Christ then put upon it, so 
fidthfnlly as our common term <* repent." 

Yet while Mr. Sawyer, we think, has 
erred, in many instances, by this excess of 
literalness, (as where he gives us *' modius " 
instead of « bushel," &c., &c.) this qxuility 
of searching honestly for the exact sense, 
elsewhere gives great value to his version. 
So thai, on the whole, we think he deserves 
many thanks for the book, and that it wUl 
stimulate Biblicaal investigation, and aid 
Ironest students. 

Thb New ExGLAin) Thboc&act. A histo- 
ry of the ConffreffotionalUts in New England 
to thoBevioaU of 1740, by H. F, Uhden, wUh 
aprefaeoe bythehte Dr, Neander, translated 
from the Second German Edition, by II, C. 
Cdnant, author of "the English Bible** S^,, 
4ic. Boston: Gould & Lincoln, 1858, 
12mo. pp. 803. Price f 1.00. 

This numograph was prepared by the au- 



thor — a &vorite pupil of Dr. Keander — at 
the suggestion of that eminent Church His- 
torian, as an introduction to some estimate 
of the later religious and ecclcsiastical con- 
dition of the country. It contains nine 
chapters. The first, sketches the rise of the 
Independents in England, and their emigra- 
tion to Holland. The second, follows 
them to these shores, and glances at their 
form of State, and at their earliest educa- 
tional and missionary efforts here. The 
third, is devoted to the expulsion of Roger 
'Williams, and the Antinomians. The 
foturth, describes the excision of the Bap- 
tists and Quakers. The fifth, gives accoimt 
of the suppression of internal opposition 
to the Theocratic government, and the do- 
ings of the Synod of 1648. The sixth, 
looks at the dissolution of the Theocratic 
relation, firom the Ecclesiastical and Polit- 
ical side. The seventh, discusses certain 
reactionary influences proceeding firom the 
Theocracy after its abrogation. The eighth, 
gives account of the subsequent decline of 
Congregationalism, and the forming of the 
germs out of which TJnitarianism was sub- 
sequently developed. The ninth, is de- 
voted to the revivals of 1740. 

The work is done in the true German 
style, and is consequently rather dry. It 
is not always accurate in the statement of 
fiicts, nor apt in its interpretation of prin- 
ciples. Yet it has considerable interest 
and value, and is especially noteworthy as 
showing how our home affairs look 
through a Teutonic medium of thought 
and expression. If it shall stimulate some 
well-read American, who is in thorough 
sympathy with the religious spirit of our 
Pathers, to undertake the work of unfold- 
ing the philosophy of New England His- 
tory during its first two centuries ; it will 
reach its culminating point of usefulness. 

Memoib op Bev. David Tappan Stod- 
dard, Missionary to the Nentoriofts, by 
Bev, Joseph P, Thompson^ D,D,, Pastor of 
the Broadway. Tabernacle Churchy New 
York, New York : Sheldon, Blakeman & 
Co., 1868. 12mo. pp. 422, price f I.OO. 

This is every way one of the richest and 
most instructive biographies of the year. 
We had prepared a lengthened notice of it 
which is crowded out. 



96 



Ccmgregaivmal Necrohgyyfor 1858, 



[Jah. 



For 1868. 

(O'We insert tinder tbis head snch brief biographies of those honored among us who hare 
gone to their rest during the past year, as we have been able to procure in the short time at 
our disposal. We are under obligation to seTeral Ariends for them, to whom we would hereby 
tender grateful acknowledgments. Hereafter we shall aim to make this department complete 
as well as accurate.— Eds. 



Rev. JOSEPH BLOOMER left a clerk- 
ship in Dubuque, Iowa, to enter \ipon a 
course of study for the ministry, which he 
pursued at Iowa College one year ; three at 
Amherst, where he was graduated in 1856 ; 
and one at Andover, in the present senior 
class. Taking dismission from the Semi- 
nary there in the autumn of 1857, he re- 
turned to Iowa, where he was licensed to 
preach. He immediately entered an im- 
portant field of labor at McGregor, Clay-^ 
ton Co., in that State, where he continued, 
in faithful and successful toil, till his death 
on the 24th of February, 1858. His be- 
reayed fiock have borne strong testimony 
to the excellency of his spirit and the en- 
ergy of his ministry. 



TIMOTHY ALDEN TAYLOR, the sec- 
ond son of Jeremiah and Martha Alden Tay- 
lor, was bom in Hawley, Ms., Sept 7th, 1809. 
His earlier years were spent under the care of 
his parents, in the cultivation of a small 
farm in the westerly, and newly inhabited 
part of the town. When he was but 1 1 years 
of age, his father expired in a fit, leaving a 
widow with 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daugh- 
ters, the eldest of whom i^ in her 18th 
year. This widowed mother, with a few 
acres of land for her only means of support, 
with a sacrifice and self-denial rarely 
equalled, announced to her first bom, upon 
whom was her chief earthly dependence, on 
the evening after the funeral of his father, 
that he might consider himself henceforth 
free to seek an education -for the ministry, 
upon which his mind had long been in- 
tently fixed, and to which she had conse- 
crated him from his birth. The sacrifice 
was deemed, by many, to be altogether be- 
yond what duty required of her in circimi- 
stances so limited. But Mrs. Taylor was 



blessed with strong fidth in the promises of 
God to the widow and the fittheileB8<> And, 
although it cost her severe toil and many 
struggles long protracted,' jet she never re- 
gretted the offering. She was permitted to 
live to see not only this, her first bom, 
settled in the ministry,^ but her three other 
sons, encouraged by his example and pa- 
tronage, liberally educated, and successfully 
employed in the same sacred calling. The 
death of this mother in Israd, at the age 
of four score, preceded that of Timothy, but 
a few months. 

It was the privilege of the subject of this 
biographical sketch, for which he oft^n ex- 
pressed his gratitude in riper years, to be 
consecrated to God in the ordinance of in- 
fant baptism, and trained to ascend a moun- 
tain on foot on each Sabbath, the distance 
of four or five miles, to the worship of the 
sanctuary. 

During the year 1827, being in his I8th 
year, young Taylor began his classical edu- 
cation in Sanderson Academy, at Ashfield. 
In the autumn of 1830, while at school in 
Bennington, Vt., he became hopefully pious, 
and soon after united with the Congrega- 
tional Church in his native town. This 
important event gave additional interest to 
bis friends to encourage and aid him in his 
literary pursuits, to which he had given 
earnest attention for several years. The 
grace of God, shed abroad in his heart, 
created new and nobler objects to be reached 
in the attainment of a liberal education. 
But in his general character and deport- 
ment before his change of fSeeling, there was 
little that could be improved for the better. 
Before, aa well as lubsequent to his espou- 
sal to Christ, there seemed to be but one 

1 Rey. OliTer A. Taylor, late Pastor of tb« Confre- 
gatlonal Obaioh 111 Maaehesttr, Bis. 



I860.] 



OongngaUomi Neerdbtgy, fur 1868. 



97 




laidiiig pupOM before Idm, and thit' was 
to beeome a tiunon^ achoUr in whaterer 
fltad&ea ad|^ anbaerre bis naeftilneas in 
•Iter life. To tfaia end be impiored dili- 
gently efcrjr moment of timei . and hua- 
beaded wdl ererj dollar that came into bis 
pnearaeion. Fkoiridence feTored bim with 
health and aoeoeaa. Aa a daaaical acbolar 
ke naked ameng the ibit in bis daea. Aa 
n oonadentkwa, exemplary Chriatian, there 
were none before Unu Having graduated, 
•with diatingnlahed honor, at Amherst Col- 
l^ge^ in 18M, he immediatelj entered upon 
the atndy of Ma eboaen prolieaeion, at the 
Theological Seminarj at Andorer. HaT- 
ing eomplelad bia oo^rse in that foTored 
iaatUatifln in 18S8, be waa ao<m after 
called nnaniaoiuljr to aettle in the minia- 
ttf at SUteraville^ B. L After mature de- 
libefatiea, he accepted the call, and waa 
oidained Ian. Sa, 1939. Hitherto thia tU- 
laga had been miasUmarj ground. But 
from Hm time of Ifr. Tajlor^a aettlement, 
OBwwd torthe tennination of his labors by 
dea^ Hm Sodetj became self-supporting ; 
and not osdy so^ but they contributed lib- 
ccally to the Taiioua objeeta of Christian 
lieiie¥olenoe abroad. 

Ifr. Taylor was a laborious, fiiithful and 
aoceesilbl Faator. In all places, and under 
aU eireumataneea, he exhibited great sim- 
plieity of dmraeter. He was honest to bis 
piineiplet, unflinching in bis integrity, and 
consdeuHously true to the fiiitb once de- 
lifoed to the saints. He magnified the 
ofllee of the ministry, esteeming it second 
to aone other on earth. In whatever be 
Judged to be vitally important to the cause, 
he waa earnest, sometimes vehement, entbu- 
aiaelic» but never radical or overbearing. 
Holding firmly the fidtb of the Puritan 
fimKr% he preached the doctrines of the old 
aehocd of New Eng^d Divines, claiming 
the li^ to speak out plainly and kindly 
Ida piaiafenoea for the modes and forms of 
Hm PSlgrim ehuvohes. 

In a meet happy manner Mr. Taylor 
eonbinedlUlMor and the scholar. In- 
atanft in ieaaan and out of season, he visit- 
ed Ms people, and pnyad wi A them in 
timea of anxiety and diatiesa; exhorting 
them from houae to booae, night and day, 
witbtooa. Aadyetybjeadyii^uganda 

18 



carefbl economy of time, he became a dili- 
gent and successful student. He read the 
Scriptures of the Old and New Testament 
daily, in their original tongues. He wrote 
much for the periodical press. He pre- 
pared and published a Memoir of Ms elder 
brother, and carried it through a second 
edition, improved and enlarged. He pub- 
lished extended treatises on varioua doctri- 
nal and practical subjects, for the consola- 
tion of the afflicted, the guidance of the 
inquirer into "Zion's Pathway," and the 
instruction of all in the way of lifb. Atthe 
time of bis death, he was preparing a Me- 
moir of his honored mother for the press, 
wMoh it is earnestly hoped may be com- 
pleted by other hands, and speedily be given 
to the public. 

Mr. Tayl^ was blessed with frequent 
revivals during Ms ministry, wMoh brougM 
increasing numbers into the Church. He 
emphatically watched finr souls. He prayed 
and wept and toiled for the conversion of 
sinners. His last labors were performed 
for a neighboring minister, who was enjoy- 
ing a season of refreshing. His last sick- 
ness was but for a fiew days, terminating 
March 2, 1868. He fell on the field of ac- 
tion, with his harness on, being in the 50th 
year of Ms age. His end was peace. De- 
vout men carried him to Ms grave, and 
wept over Ms early departure. The fii- 
neral sermon was preached by Bev. Dr, 
Shepard, of Bristol, from the same pulpit 
from wMch, more than 19 years befqre, be 
had preached at his ordination service. A 
strongly attached people crowded the sanc- 
uary to take their )ast view of the remains of 
the man of God who had labored for their 
spiritual welfiftre for nearly twenty years. 
Ab an enduring testimony of their love and 
esteem for Mm, they have, by their own 
f^ will offerings, set up a beautiful mon- 
ument of Italian marble over Ms grave, 
with a becoming memorial of Ms many per- 
sonal and ministerial virtues. 



Bev. NATHANIEL CHAPMAN died 
in Pittston, Me., April 1, of lung fever, ast. 
69. Mr. Chapman was bom in Exeter, 
N. H., in 1789 ; removed to Mt. Vernon, 
Me., in 1800 ; graduated at Bangor Semi- 
nary, in 1820 ; was ordained Pastor of the 



98 



Canffregaiionai Necrology^ for 1868. 



[Jah. 



Church in Bristol, Me., in Sept. 1824^ 
where he remained until 1833 ; for two 
years supplied the Church in Boothbay ; in 
May, 1835, was settled in Camden, con- 
tinuing to 1849 ; was afterwards at War- 
ren ; from Sept. 1852, to March 1856, la- 
bored in Unity, Thomdike, and Freedom ; 
and the last two years of his life in Pitts- 
ton. * * A man of sound judgment and dis- 
cretion ; eminently humble, deyout, meek* 
kind and sympathetic." *' His preaching 

was fiimple, earnest, Scriptuxal, 

practical." 



Key. LUTHER R. WHITE was a native 
of Northbridge, and a graduate of Amherst 
College, in the class of 1848. His Theolog- 
ical course was pursued at Andover. Im- 
mediately after leaving that Seminary, in 
1851, he went to Iowa imder appointment 
from the American Home Missionary So- 
ciety, and labored for a season at Le Claire, 
Scott Co. From thence he removed to 
Port Byron, HI., and opened a school, 
" But," says a class-mate, *< those startling 
words, %Doe is me if I preach not the goepel^ 
rang in his ears," till he returned to the 
ministry, and settled over the Congrega- 
tional Church at Brighton, Iowa, where he 
terminated a short, but laborious and suc- 
cessful pastorate, with his life. May 30th, 
1858. His sickness was brief and not 
thought to be dangerpus, till a few hours 
before his death. 



Mrs. ANN S. KITCHEL, wife of Rev. 
H. D. Eitchel, D.D, youngest child and 
only daughter of David Sheldon, of Rupert, 
Vt., died very suddenly at Detroit, liiGch., 
June 1, 1858, in the 43d year of her age. 

Her earliest remembered childhood was 
singularly marked with religious tender- 
ness, and a conscientious dutifulness 
towards parents and teachers, that seemed 
from the first, to indicate a nature imder 
gracious correction. This ripened through 
a more conscious religious experience in 
her early youth, into a piety that, through 
all the scenes of her subsequent life, prov- 
ed itself abiding and fruitful, always hum- 
ble and trustful ; hopeful, cheerful, and 
abounding in the work of the Lord. 

The developement of her Christian char- 
acter in the relations of maturer life, as 



wife and mother, and as a Pastor's coun- 
selLor and efficient helper, was exceedingly 
rich and beautifiil, and has made her mem- 
ory most precious in the circles where she 
was known. She filled the large sphere of 
her household with a follneas of holy in- 
iiuenoes^ and motherly guidance and provi* 
dence, that left no lack. Her heart was 
rich in an overflowing tcndenneflB of love^ 
that hungered for objects, and lavished it- 
self on child, friend, bird, flower ; living in 
all she loved. She found her happiest and 
most useful sphere in the large circle of a 
Christian parish. Her heart craved this 
field of service, and when another sphere 
opened, she turned from it as vacant 
of these loving relations; "she could not 
live without a parish to love, and live in." 
With no assertion of leadersh^) in feeling 
or manner, she sweetly led a large drde of 
Christian females, inspiring their aims and 
directing their activities ; and many found* 
in her stead&st fidelity and gracious 
promptings, the attraction that drew them 
liearer to their Saviotir. 

She was ever watching the work of the 
Spirit; and eminentiy the secret of the 
Lord was with her, as one to whom it vras 
given to discern oSax off what good God 
was purposing for His people. In every 
season of religious interest, her soul was 
stirred with the first breath of the Spirit. 
At such times, her prayers and activities 
were unceasing. The Revival of last virin- 
ter and spring came to her as an anticipat- 
ed joy, mingled with deep solicitudes — ^the 
fulfillment of many a hope and prayer, yet 
with a weary and sorrowing heart for the 
remnant that was left. In ways of dis- 
creet and delicate ingenuity, observing 
every propriety, she left not one, it is be- 
lieved, in the congregation worshiping 
vrith her, without some word or note of 
loving entreaty and earnest warning, with- 
in a few months before her death; and 
many were given to her in Christ ; and to 
many, being dead, she still speaks. 

Unconsciously she was ripening in these 
scenes for the coming change. She had, 
indeed, no such apprehension ; but there 
was a pressure of imresting endeavor upon 
her, that awakened in many hearts, even 
then« the sense of a work haa fitmiTig to 



1859.] 



CoHgregtiimtU Necrology, for 1858. 



99 



compledoa. Tet her life xan smoothly to 
the blink. No note of warning was given, 
no% eren an hour of consdoiia fldckness. 
Her last evening was spent cheeifully with 
Christian friencUin her own parlor. She 
xetiied aad rested qnietly, till 4 o'clock in 
the moming, when the summons came. 
She was startled from sleep by an intense 
pain in the head— hovered fbr a few mo- 
ments between sensibility and stupor, her 
lew words indicating no thought of danger 
— ^then sunk into a deep insensibility, and 
lay unconscious for ten hours ; and then, 
with no word or look, passed away. 

It was done well, since it must be. The 
bittexness of death was spared her, for she 
had no partings to endure. For the rest, 
no words are needed, or could have added 
to the assurance that all was well with her* 

Many an act and expression, that passed 
fbr little at the time, comes to hate a sig- 
nUlcance almost prophetic, when the light 
(rf such a departure ifdls back on it. As 
her last act before retiring, she sat down 
and played and sung the linos, which had 
become very fkmiliar on her lips t 

^ NMrer, mj Qod to Thee, 

lleerar to Thee ! 
• • • • • 
Or if on joyfVil wing^ 

OleaTlng the ikj, 
Sua, moon, and etan fingoi, 

Upward I fly ; 
StiU eU mjr loos ihaU be 
Nearer, my Ood, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee!" 



Lyman White, of Epping, N. H., at which 
place she remained till 1866, when she re- 
moved, with her husband, to Easton, Ms. 

Last May, God took from her a first 
bom, promising daughter. But he gave 
her another to supply her place. She was 
not, however, to enjoy this favor long. 
Shortly after the birth of her second chUd, 
in an enfeebled state of health, she sought 
the kind assiduities of her fether's house, 
and the invigorating air of her native hills. 
But, contrary to hope, disease continued to 
make inroads upon her constitution, orig- 
inally not strong. Says the Pastor of the 
Church in Acworth, <* Li my brief inter- 
course with her, I was most happy to wit- 
ness the manifestation of a placid, trusting 
spirit; a cheerful acquiescence in God's 
will ; and a firm reliance on the merits of 
Christ for salvation. She had a desire to 
live, that she might aid her beloved hus- 
band in his arduous work. Yet as the time 
of her departure drew near, she unloosed 
her hold upon the objects of this world, and 
waited patiently for the expected event. 
At length, on the morning of the Sabbath, 
she gently passed away from the scenes of 
earth, to experience the sweet rest and un- 
mingled joys of the heavenly world." 



Mrs. PA MELT A G. WARNEB, wife of 
Rev. Ltxan White, of Easton, Ms., died 
at the residence of her father, in Acworth, 
N. H., Aug. 22, 1868, aged 34 years. 

Mrs. White was bom at Acworth, June 
3, 1824, and was the eldest daught^ of 
Maj. Nathaniel and Mrs. Lucy Warner. 
From early childhood she possessed a mild 
and pleasing disposition, which won the 
love and esteem of all who knew her. She 
was remarkably conscientious, and was 
early the subject of serious impressions, 
which continued to return, from time to 
time, until in the autumn of 1845, under 
the feithful labors of B«v. Mr. Fuller, then 
preaching at the place of her residence, she 
gave her heart to God. She united with 
the Congregational Church, Dec. 31, 1846. 

June 6, 1860, she was married to Rev. 



Rev. JOSHUA R. BROWN, died Sept. 
7th,at Longmeedow, Ms., set. 46. He was 
bom in Stonington, Ct., June 14th, 1812 ; 
was converted in the great revival of 1831 ; 
pursued his collegiate studies at Yale, 
though it does not appear that he complet- 
ed the course; studied theologically at 
New Haven and at Andover, at the latter 
of which places he graduated in 1841 . ]May 
21st, 1846, he was ordained over the 2d 
Congregational Church in Lebanon, Ct., 
where he remained eight years ** preaching 
the Gospel with great acceptance, and en- 
joying the esteem* and confidence of all ; 
and where at his departure, he left not an 
enemy, or disaficcted person, behind." 
Dec. 13, 1864, he was installed over the 
Congregational Church in East Longmead- 
ow, Ms., where he remained until his 
death. After a short illness, he died, re- 
joicing in hope. A funeral sermon, preach- 
ed by Rev. Mr. Russell, Oct. 13, 1858, is 
published. 



6(Wl*w8 



100 CkureheB Farmed. — Pastors 



[Jak. 



Congresational fl^urdb^ fttttxUtt, 

DUBINO 1868. 

QC^ TUth regvd to tbii, Md »U ttit taMct wMeh i>Uow, m dtflra to mj thai ir« havt 
fbet, MB tin Uinlliid Hbm mmI iimmm of Infbrmatloii at our oomiaMid. havt enabkd «■ to do. Thagr will Im 
eoDdniMd qiururiy, and w ratpeetftiUjr aik aid of all our brethrtn who can flunlah U.— Sm. 



Jan. 97. 

Vtb. 19. 

Haj 81. 

JviM 8. 

« J7. 

Bapfc. 1. 
« 1 



At QUINDASO, Kaniaa. 
'* HAYANA. Mawa Oo. OL 



M 



WB8TP0RT. Bff. 
** SOUTH AMHIRST, lis. 
•« ONAWA OITY, Iowa. 
** LATVILLB, L. I. rXlaBMnta. 

*« WQITIWATXB FALLS, Winona Go. 



Bcpt. 4. 

" 28. 
Oei. 30. 
Not. 28. 
Dm. 2. 

" 10. 

»* 10. 



At 8ABAT0OA, Howard Oo. Iowa. 
*• MARBLlOftAD. MM. Tha Id Gong. Gh. 

».I«W». 



t< 



NBW UBKRTI^, Seott Go. 
" CHAPIN. Iowa. 
*' SOUTH MALDBf,!!!. 
*< ORANQB, 111. 
" VIOLA, 111. 



Congresational Pastors 1ii»xtti»siit!, 

DUBIMO 1868. 



JAN. 6. Bar. JAMBS A. SBflTH, firam tha Gong. Gh. 
In Glaftonboiy, Gt. 

7. Bar. GHABLB8 W. WOOD, fton tha Gong. Gh. 
In Aibby, Ma. 

19. Bar. NOADIAb S. DIGKINSON, firom tha Gong. 
Gh. in Ghatham, Ma. 

26. Bar. BATMOND H. SBBLBT, frcna tha North 
Cong. Gh. In Sprlogflald, Ma. 

26. Bar. QB O. BU8HN BLL, Jhwn tha Sakm St. Gong. 
Gh. In Woroutar, Ma. 

TIB. If. Bar. MOSBS H. WILDBB, ftom tha Gong. 
Gh. in Harwich, Ma. 

MASCH 8. Bar. L. GONKLIN, frcnn tha Gong. Gh. 
in Fratport, Ma. 

APBIL 8. Bar. WILLARD M HABDINO, fkom tha 
Gong. Gh. In South W^jrmoath, Ma. 

18. Bar. VBANGIS O. PRATT, ftom tha Gong Gh. 
in South Maldan, Ma. 

20. Bar. DANIBL WIGHT, Ja., from tha Gong. Gh. 
fai Sdtaata, Ma. 

MAT 4. R«T. B. W. EBOEBSON, from tha Gong. Gh. 
in Monaon, Ma. 

18. R«T. GHARLBS BENTLT, from tha Gong. Gh. in 
WMtport, Gt. 

19. Bar. B. M. GHIPMAN, Ikom tha 8d Gong. Gh. in 
GnlUbrd, Gt. 

81. Bar. H. A. KBNDALL, from tha Gong. Gh. in 
Bait Gonoord, N. H. 

JUNB 2. Bar. BBNJ. JUDKINS, Jt., fhn tha Gong. 
Gh. in SomerriUe, Ma. 

2. BeT. FBBDBRIGK A. FISKE, from the Trinita- 
rian Cong. Gh. in Bait Manhilald, Ma. 

8. Bar. JAMBS ANDERSON, fhim tha Gong. Gh. in 
Manehaiter, Tt. 

8. Bar. JAMBS L. MBBBIGK, ftom tha Ocng. Gh. 
in South Ambant, Ma. 

29. Bar. ASAHEL B. QBAT, from tha Gong. Gh. in 
GoTentry, Yt. 

20. Bar. ALBXANDEB J. SESSIONS, from tha Gong. 
Gh. in Malroae, Ma. 

80. BeT. ISAAG BOGBBS, from tha Gong. Gh. in 
Farmington, Ma., aftar a pastorate of 82 ytam. 



JULT 18. Bar. J. P. BIGHABD60M, from tha Goi«. 
Gh. in OtMald, Ma. 

14. Bar. MABK QOULD, firom tha Ocng. Ch. la A»> 
dofar, Ma. 

AUG. 19. Bar. ALBXANDEB G. 0HILD6, from tha 
Gong. Gh. at Amaehury MUli, Ma. 

SEPT. 8. Bar. AARON G. ADAMS, tnm the FranlL- 
Un Si. Cong. Gh. in Maooheiter, N. H. 

14. Rar. WM. E. HOLTOKE, from the Ocng. Ct, in 
Elgin, ni. 

OGT. 6. Bar. FRANKLIN B. DOE, ft«m tha Gong. 
Gh. in Laneaatar, Ma. 

12. Ear. WM. G. JAGKSON, from tha Oong. Oh. in 
Lincoln, Ma. 

14. Bar. GHBISTOPHEB M. GOBDLBT, ftam tha 
let Gong. Gh. in Bandolph, Ma. 

19. Bar. EDWARD W. OILMAN, from tha lal Xtmi- 
gellcal Gong. Gh. la Gambrklgaport, Ma. 

28. Rot. SWIFT DTINGTON, fkom the Gong. Oh. la 
West Brookfield, Ms. 

NOY. 1. Rar. EUAS NASON, fkom tha Gong. Ch. la 
Natick, Ma. 

8. Rer. ROBERT G. LEARNED, tnm tha Oong. Ch. 
in Oantarlmry, Gt. 

8. Rer. CHARLES SMITH, from tha Shawmnt 
Cong. Ch. In Boston. 

10. Bar. ISAAG P. LANGWOBTHT, from tha Chml- 
nnt St. Cong. Gh. in Ghdaea, Ms. 

28. Bar. MATSON M. SMITH, Ikom tha Harrard 
Gong. Gh. In BrooUine, Ma. 

29. Bar. J. JAT DANA, Ikom tha Gong. Gh. In South 
Adama, Ma. 

80. Bar, WM. PAGE, fkom tha Gong. Gh. in Salem, 
N.H. 

80. Bar. B. B. HODGMAN, from tha Gong. Ch. in 
lornnlleld Center, Ms. 

DBG. 1. BeT. J. B. ADAMS, Ikom tha 111 Gong. Ch. in 
Gorham, Me. 

14. Bar. LYMAN WHITING, fkom tha North Cong. 
Ch. in Portsmouth, N. H. 

81. Bar. DAYID BRIGHAM, fkom tha Trinitarian 
Church in Bridgewater, Ms. 



Consrcflatumal pastors ZzMit, 



DUBINO 1868. 



JAN. 4. Bar. OTIS HOLMES, late of Northwood, 
N. H., over the Oong. Gh. io EUot, Me. Sennon 
by Bar. L. Whiting, of Portsmouth, N. H. 

6. Bar. HOBAGE WINSLOW, orar tha Fbat Gong. 
Gh. In Great BarrlDgtoo, Ma. 

6. Messrs. L. N. WOODBUFF and WM. D. FLAGG, 
aa ETangelists, to labor at GloTer, and Barton, Yt. 

18. BeT. BOBEBT CRAWFORD, over thtf Oithodoz 
Gong. Gh. in Derrfleld. Ma. Sermon by Bar. E. 
Davte, D J)., of Wastflald, Ma. 

14. Bar. JOAIPH W. BACKUS, kit of GhapUa, 01., 



OTor the Gong. Ch. In Leomlnater, Ms. 
by Bar. H. P. Arms, of Norwleh, Gt. 

20. Mr. B. J. HA WES, orar the 1st Gona. Gh. In Plym- 
outh, Gt. Sermon by BeT. J. Hawaa, DJ>., of 
Hartlbrd. 

20. BeT. THOMAS T. WATERMAN, formerly of Pror- 
idence. R. I., orer the Cong. Ch. in Danlelson- 
Tille,Ct. Sermon by Bar. A. Dunning, of Thomp- 
son, Gt. 

20. Mr. CHARLES H. BALL, otw At Ooag. Oh. la 
Wilton, 01. 



1859.] 



Paston Settled. 



101 



JAN. n. Mr. ISAAC 8. PBRT.a 
B«llo«tfiy]s,TI. BtnaoBby 
W«( BotlaBd, Tt. 

a. B«r. OHABLB MOBORIDOl. liiteof 
lh« Omff. Ck.iB 

1^ B«T. M. S. 




CoWik 




98. B«T. MWRnJi BICHAKDSOir, kto «r Tmr^ 
▼ffle, 01., OTW llM Balm 81. Cong. Ob. m 
mWWMVS| Ml* 

XT. Itov. S. D. 8T0U8. •?« Ite Cong. Oh. la 

by B«T. 8. T. 



MAR. M. Bar. DATID M. SLWOOD, onr tbt Godc . 
Ob. to North Wooditoek, 01. SwmoD br Ber. i. 
NMon,ofNAtlek,M«. 

8L B«T. RIOHARD QLRASON OREBNR, bi*« of 
Adrian. Mieb., orcr Uw BvangU Ooog. Cb. in 
Xmi Obabridfi, Ms. Smaoa by Rer. A. Lb 

APRIL 6. R«T. THOMAS 0. RICE, ortr tbo Oong. Oh. 
in Brighton, Ms. Sanaon by Rer. N. Adami, 
D.D., of Borton. 

7. Mr. CHABLn B. BEBD, Of«r tho Cong. Cb. in 
Maldtn, Mi. Sonaon by Rer. Prof. Pbtlpo, of 



H. BRIOKBTT and J. W. BAT,aa Bfaa- 




N. H. Bonnon by Bar. 
OolL 

fXB.l Bar.O T.LAMPHBAB,«iwtbaCoiMLCh. 
In Bnlw, N. H. Simon by Rer. J. P. UkT»> 
land, D.D., of Loivall, Mi. 

7. Bir.CHARL»B.LOBD,ovar ttitCoag.Oh.ia 
Mt y«w>n, N. H. 

B Mr. ALPHBUS 8. NICKBR80N, aa an Branga- 
Uil, aft North Wobnm, Ml. Sonaon by Bar. A. 
l-8ftMw,ofBQiftin. 

B. Bar. WABBBN 0. TISHBB, Off« iha Cong. Oh. 
inOmonOMitar,Ot. 

S. Bar. WH. Dl LOBS LOTS, kto of Rorlfa^ Ot, 
«fw Ifai Spring 81. Cong. Oh. fai Mttwaakoa. 

8. Bar. CHABLS8 W. WOOD, lata of Ariiby, Mi., 
' thtOong. Oh. In OanpoUo, No. Bridgtwattr, 

by Bar. Plot Pbolpi,of Andorar. 



4. Bar.JOON BOWBR8,hiteof Wilbrahaa^orw 
Iha 8d Cong. Ch. In St Johniboty, Tt. * 

4. Bar. HBNBT 0. ABBBNBIHT, Ofar tba Cong. 
Oh. atOMida,IU. 

161 Mr. D. B JONBS, ai an BrangtUit, to bibor al 
CiawtadariUa, and Colombai Cl^, Iowa. 

90. Mr. B. 0. fISKB, aa an BvangeUrt, aft Haraaa, 
Co., HL 

BDWABD H. OBBELET, orar the Ptarl 
St. Oh. in Nariina, N. H. Sormon by Rar. Prot 
PIm^m, of AndoTor. 

9A. Bar. SOLOMON LATALBTTB PBBBIN. kto of 
Ooihfln, Ci., Ofar tha lift Con» Oh. in Naw 
Britain, Ct. 

96b Mr. OLABBNBON WAITB, orar ttia Cong. Ch. in 
Ratlaad, Mi. SmBon by Bar. Qaocga Boihnoll, 
bitoofWoreeiter,Mi. 

XABCH a. Bar. SAMUEL L. BOCKWOOD, Into of 
Haaion,Mi.f orar tha Pilgrim Cong. Ch in Soath 
Waymoath, Mi. Simon by Bar. B. S. Stom, 
BJ)., of Braintreo, Mi. 

t. Bar. ZACHART BDDT, kto of Birmfaigbam, Ok, 
orar tha lift Cong. Ch. in MortbampUm, Mi. Sir- 
by Rar. W. A. Btoarm, D.D., of Am. ColL 



t. Bar. BDWABD T.SWIfT.kto of Booth Badlay, 
Ml., oror tha Cong. (%. hi Clinton, N.T. Sermon 
}kj Bar. ProC Yarmilya, of BMft Windmr, Ct. 

8. Rar. CHARLBS JONBS, lato of Ounbridgaport, 
Ml., orar tba Cong, and PrMb. Ch. in Battla 
OfMk, MIeh. Boimon by Hm^, H. D. Kitobali, 
D.D.,ofDatroift. 

ID. Rar. NOADIAH 8. DICKINSON, late of Chaft- 
bam, Ml., ovar tha Ooiup. Ch. in Fosboro', Mi., 
Sarmon by Rar. B N. Kirk,D.D.,of Boiton. 

161 Mr. B H. PRATT, ai an IrangoUit aft BMt Wood- 
itoek, Ct. Sermon by Rar. T. T. Watannan, of 
SnniriffmriUa, Ct. 

17. Bar. HORATIO MBRRIULUto of Portland, Me., 
orar tha Cong. Ch. in Saliibiuy, N. U. Sermon 
by Rar. B. B Parker, of Coneord, N. H. 

17. Rar. EPHRAIM C. CUMMTNOS. orer the Cong. 
Ch. in Bxawer, Me. Sermon by Rer. J. W. 
Chlckering, D.D., of Portland, Me. 

SL Rer. SPBNCBR O. DTER, orer the Cong. Ch. in 
Becket. Mi. Sermon by Rer. J. H. Blibee, of 
Worthwigftnn, Mi. 



Sl Bar. STEPHEN H. HATBS, orar tha Cong Oh. 
In Sooth Weymouth, Mi. 

14. Bar. STLYANUS 0. KENDALL, orar the Cong. 
Ch. in Millbrd, N. H. Semon by Ber. B. 8. 
Kendall, of Coneord, N. H. 

14. Mr. EDWIN DIMOCK, orer the Central Eraa- 

ei Cong. Ch. of Orange, Mi. Sermon by 
Prof YermUye, of But Wlndior, Ct. 

14. Rer. CHARLES CHAMBERLAIN, kto of Aih- 
ftird, Ct., orar tha Cong. Ch. in BMtt>rd, Ct. 
Sermon oy Rer. T. T. Hatarman, of DanluiOB- 
rille,Ct. 

21. Mr. SPENCER 0. DTER, orar the lit Cong. Oh. 
faiBeeket,Mi. 

88. Rer. ELI8HA W. COOK, late of HaydenriUe, Mi., 
orar the Cong. Oh. in Towniend, Mi. Sermon 
by Rar. M. lUebardion, of Woreeeter, Mi. 

88. Mr. WILLIAM WINDSOR, orer the Cong. Oh. 
in MiteheU, Iowa. 

29. Mr. LT8ANDER DICKERMAN, orar tha Obng. 
Ch. in Oloneeicer, Mi. Sermon by Rer. Profl 
Phalpi, of Andorer. 

MAT 18. .Rer. CHARLES NEWMAN, orer the Coog. 
Ch. id Torringlbrd, Ct. Sermon by Ktt, F. A. 
Sprneer, of New Uanfbrd, Ct. 

19. Mr. OEORGE B. ALLEN, orer the Anitin St. 
Cong. Ch. In Cambridgeport, Ml. Sermon by 
Rer. Prof. Pbelpi, of Andorer. 

19. Rer. MAKINUS WILLETT, orer the Cong. Ch. 
in Blaek Rock, (Fairfleld) Ct. Sermon by Vi»^. 
Mr. Rankin, of New York City. 

22. Mr. AUGUSTINE ROOT, orer the Cong. Ch. In 
lAkerille, Mi. Sermon by Vivf. £. W. Root, of 
Oxford, Ohio. 

24. Rer. G. W. NOTES, orer the Sonth Cong. Ch. 
in New Haren, Ct. 

JUNE 2. Rer. ALFRED EMERSON, frrmeriy Profti- 
lor in Wcetem Reeerre Coll., and recently of 
Sonth Berwiek, Me., orer the Calriniitic Cona. 
Ch. in Fitehbnrg. 

9. Rer. A. M. RICHARDSON, late of Lenox. 0., 
orer tha Cong. Ch. in Aoitinbnrg, 0. Sermon 
by Rer. Mr. OTdi, of JefBenon, 0. 

8. Rer. DAVID BANCROFT, Ute of WUllogton, Ct., 
orer the Cong. Cb. in Praeoott, Mi. Sermon by 
Rer. L. Perrin, of New Britain, Ct. 

8. Mr. WM. C. BARTLETT, ai an Erangaliit, in 
IndianapoUi, Ind. Sermon by Bmi. C. B. Boyn- 
ton, of Cioeinnati, 0. 

7. Mr. L. J. WHITE, orer tba Cong. Ch. In Lyoni, 

XXI* 

8. Rer. JAMES L. MERRICK, orar the new Cona 
Ch. in So. Amherst, Mi. 

16. Mr. CHARLES BROOKS, orer the Cong. Ch 
in Bybeld. (Newburyport) Mi. Sermon by Rer. 
J. L. Jenkioi, of Lowell, Ml. 

16. Rer. WILUAM BATES, late of Northbridge, Mi., 
orer the lit Cong. Ch. in Falmonth, Mi. Ser- 
mon by Rer. N. Adami. D.D. of Boeton. 

16. Rer. WILLIAM CARRUTHERS, orer the Cong. 
Ch. in Sandwich, Mi. Sermon by Vu$f. jTj. 
Carmthen, D.D., of Portland. 

16. Rer. JAMES DBUMMOND, late of Lewiston, 
Me., orer the North Coog. Ch. in Springfield, 
Ml. SennonbyRer.J.Todd,D.D.,ofPitliflald. 



102 



Pastor 8 Settled. 



[JlK. 



JUNEltt. B«T. JAICBS A. CLABK, ]Btoori6w», Oftt 
the GoD(. Gh. ia Cromwvll, CI. 

38. R«T. WILLIAM J. BREED, OT«r the Gong. Ch. 
in Sonthboro' Me. Semoii b/ Bar. E. N. Kirk, 
D.D, of Boeton. 

28. BeT. IDWIN SBABURT, lefee of Weetmlneter, 
Yt., OTer the Cong. Ch. in South Bojaleton, Ma. 
Sermon bv Ber. J. M. StOMf of Walpole, N. H. 

28. BeT. DATID PECK, late of Orange, Ms., OTer the 
2d Cong. Cli. in Danbory. Ct. Sermon by Bev. 
S. W. 8. Datton, D.D., of New Haven, Ct. 

24. BeT. THOMAS N. HASKELL, late of Washing- 
ton, D. C. OTer the Maverick Gong. Ch. in Bast 
Boston, Bis. Sermon by Ber. Prof . Phelps, of 
AndoTer. 

80. BeT. CHARLES PACKARD, late of North Mid- 
dleboro', Bis., over the 2d Cong. Ch. in Bidd^rd, 
Me. Sermon by Rer. Prof. Fiokard, of Bowdoia 
College. 

JULY 14. Bfr T. A. MERRILL, as an Evangelist, at 
Bristol Mills, Me. Sermon by Ber. S. Q. Thoxv- 
(on, of Searsport, Me. 

U. Rev. A. S. GHESEBROUOH, over the Cong. Ch. 
in North Qlastonbory, Ot. 

21. Mr. JAMES M. BELL, over the Orthodox Cong. 
Ch. In Ashby, Ms. Sermon by Rev. A. Emer- 
son, of Fitehbarg, Ms. 

21. Mr. FREDERIC ALYORD, of Bolton, Ct., over 
the Cong. Ch. at Chieopee Falls, Ms. Sermon 
by BeT. G. Hammond, of Qroton, lis. 

21. Mr E. J. ALDEN, over the 2d Cong. Ch. In 
WfCt Springfield, Ms. Sermon by Bev. S. O. 
Bnokingham, of Springfield. 

AUG. 11. Ber. DANA B. BRADFORD, late of Ray- 
mond, N. H., OTer the Cong. Ch. in Sal'xton FalU, 
N. H. Sermon by Rev. L. Whltingt-of Ports- 
month, N. H. 

18. Rot. A. A. BAKER, OTer the Cong. Ch. in Corn- 
wall, Yt. Sermon by Rot. C. Peaae, D.D., of 
Burlington, Yt. 

18. Rot. CYRUS BREWSTER, late of Orange, Ct., 
OTer the Cong. Ch. in HaydenTllle, Ms. Sermon 
by ReT. Z. Eddy, of Northampton. 

18. ReT. I. W. SMITH, OTer the South Cong. Ch. in 
Durham, Ct. Sermon by Rot. D. Smith, D. D., 
of Durham. 

18. ReT. FRANCIS V. TENNEY, late of Byfield, Ms., 
in Manchester, Ms. Sermon by Rot. M. P. Bra- 
man, D.D., of DauTers, Ms. 

28. Mr. KIN08LBY TWINING, over the Cong. Gh. 
in Hlniidale, Ms^ 

SEPT. 1. ReT. GEO. A. ^RYAN, Ute of CromweU, 
Ct., over the Cong. Ch. in West Haven, Ct. Ser- 
mon by ReT. J. L. Dudley, of Bfiddletown, Ct. 

1. Mr. EDWARD H. BUCK, as an STangelist, in 

East Machias, Me. 

2. Mr. GEO. B. SAFFORD, as an Evangelist In 
Northbridge Center, Ms. Sermon by ReT. Prof. 
Phelps, of AndoTer. 

8> Mr. JAMES CRUIKSHANKS, over the Cong. Ch. 
in South Maiden, Ms. Sermon by Rev. Prof. 
Phelps, of Andover. 

8. Mr. A. MoDONALD, OTer the South Cong. Ch. in 
Stanstead, C. E. Sermon by Rev. J. J. Car- 
ruthers, D.D., of Portland, Me. 

22 Mr. EDWARD P. THWING, over the St. Law- 
rence St. Cong. Ch. in Portland. Me. Sermon 
by Rev. J. W. Chickering, D.D., of Portland, Me. 

22. Rev. SAMUEL D. COCHRAN, late of Princeton, 
111., over the Cong. Ch. in Ann Arbor, Mich. 

29. Mr. HIRAM MEAD, over the Cong. Ch. in South 
Hadley, Ms. Sermon by Rev. Prof. Park, of An- 
dover. 

29. Rev. GEORGE BUSHNELL, late of Worcester, 
Bis., over the 1st Cong. Ch. in Waterbury, Ct. 
Sermon by Rev. S. Sweetser, D.D., of Worcester, 
Ms. 



OCT. 1. Mr. JOHN D. EBIBRSON, over the Cong. Oh. 
in Haverhill, N. H. Sermon by Rev. N. Locd, 
D.D., of Hanover, N. H. 

6. Mr. O. E. FREEMAN, over the Orthodox Oong. 
Gh. in Manchester, Bts. Sermon by Rev. JL L. 
Stone, of Boston. 

18. Mr. GEORGE L. WALKER, over Ihe State St. 
Gong. Ch. in Portland, Me. Sermon by Rev. C. 
Walker, D.D., of Plttsfbrd, Yt. 

18. Rev. JAliES B. HADLEY, over the Oong. Gh. 
in Campton, N. H. 

18. Mr. OGDKN HALL, over the Cong. Gh. In East 
Harthmd, Ct. Sermon by Rev. W. H. Gilbert, 
of Granby, Ct. 

18. Bev. GEORGE R. DARLING, late of Lowell, Ms., 
over the Gong. Gh. in Hudson, Ohio. Sermon 
by Bev. H. D. KiteheU, D.D., of Detroit, Mich. 

19. Bev. ERASTUS COLTON, over the Oong. Ch. 
in Southwick. Ms. Sermon by Rev. J. Uawee, 
D.D., of Hartford, Gt. 

19. Rev. W. A. NICHOLS, over the Oong. Ch. in 
Gleaverville, 111. Sermon by Ber. Prof. Smer- 
•on, of Belolt Coll. 

20. Mr. JOHN S. BACHELDEB, over tha Ooog.'Ch. 
in JalErey, N. H. Sennon by Bev. B. Lsa, of 
New Ipswich, N. H. 

20. Mr. CHESTER D. J^FBRDS. over the Co^. Ch. 
in Cheater, Yt. Seroion by Rev. G. 8. Porter of 
So. Boston, Bis. 

20. Mr. HENRY WILLARD, as an Bvaafslist, at 
Pittsfleld, Ohio. Sennon by B«v. J. A. Thome, 
of Ohio City, 0. 

26. B^v. D. E. JONES, over the Gong. Gh. in Colum- 
bus City, Iowa. Sermon by Bev. A. B. Bobbins, 
of Muscatine, Iowa. 

27< Bev. THOMAS N. LORD, over the Cong. Oh. in 
West Auburn, Me. Sermon by Bev. Prof. Pack- 
ard, of Bowdoin College. 

27. Rev. BENJABfIN TAPPAN, Jr.. late of Charles- 
town, Bis., over the Gong. Ch. in Norridgewiok, 
Me. Sermon by Rev. J. O. Fiske, of Bath, Me. 

27. Rev. BENJAMIN L. SWAN, late of Bridgeport, 
Ct., over the Gong. Ch. in Stratford, Gt. 

27. Mr. JOHN MONTEITH. Jr.. over the Cong. Gh. 
in Terryville, Ct. Sermon by Rev. S. L. Cleve- 
land, D.D., of New Haven, Ct. 

as. Rev. CALYIN GRANGER, formerly of Gam- 
bridge, Yt., over the Cong. Ch. in Middtetown, 
Yt. Sermon by Rev. A. Walker, of Rutland, Yt. 

29. Rev. A. C. ADAMS, late of Blancheftter, N. H., 
over the Cong. Ch. in Lewiston Falls, Bfe. Ser- 
mon by Rev. G. E. Adams, D.D., of Brunswick, 
Me. 

NOY. 4. Mr. JONATHAN S. HASKELL, over the 
Cong. Ch. in Mt. Pleasant, 111. 

10. Mr. JOSEPH K. GREENE, as an Evangelist, at 
Lewiston Falls, Bfe. Sermon by Rev. J. B. SewaU, 
of Lynn, Bis. 

10. BIr. ALBERT H. PLUMB, over the Cheetnut St. 
Cong. Ch. in Chelsea, Bis. Sermon by Rev. Prot 
Park, of Andover. 

10. Rev. ELIAS NASON, late of Natlek, Ms., over the 
Bfystic Cong. Ch. in Medford, BU. 8enn<m by 
Rev. H. M. Dexter, of Boston. 

10. Rev. SHILO CANFIELD, late of Sheboygan 
Falls, Wis., over the Goag. Ch. in Sparta, Wis. 
Sermon by Rev. Z. M. Humphrey, of BUlwankee. 

17. Rev. HARRISON G. PARK, over the Cong. Ch. 
in the East Parish of WMtminster, Yt. Senium 
by Rev. 0. E. Park, of West Boxford, Bis. 

17. BIr. ALEXANDER D. STOWELL, over the Cong. 
Ch. in Woodbridge, Ct. Sennon by Rev. L. Ba- 
con, D.D., of New Havwi. 

17. Rev. H. B. ELLIOTT, late of Stamford, Gt., over 
the Cong. Ch. in Columbus, 0. 

26. Rev. N. A. HYDE, over the Plymouth Gong. Ch. 
in Indianapolis, Ind. Sermon by Rev. Prof. 
Haren, of Chicago Theological Senoiasay. 



1859.] 



Mtttistert Married.— lEmders Deceased. 



103 



VOY. 80. BflfT. JOHN P. SKXELB. late of HADoiral], 
Me., OT«r the Cong. Ch. in Wilbnham, Mi. Ser- 
mon by R«T. Jm. Dnunmond, of Spxingfield, Mi. 

DBC. 1. BcT. ROBERT C. LEARNED, OT«r the 2d 
Cong. Ch. fai Berlin, Ct. Sennon by ReT. Ur. 
Held, of New London, Ct. 

Rer. CHARLES TENNET, OTer the PaTiUon 
Cong. Ch. in Biddelbrd, Me. 

Mr. JAMES 0. ROBERTS, over the 2d Cong. Ch. 
in VrankfiMTt, Me. Sennon by B«?. O. W. Field, 
of Boiton. 



2. 



DBC. 9. Rer. JAMBS WELLS, over the Gong. Oh. tii 
Dedh«m, Me. Sennon by Rer. Prof. Hanis, of 
Bangor. 

0. Mr. J. S. HOYT, over the Cong. Ch. in Port Hu- 
ron, Mich. 

16. Bfr. F. B. FELLOWS, over the Union Cong. Ch. 
in Kennebnnk, Me. Sermon by Prof. Phelpe. 

80. Rot. E. W. ALLEN, late of Salem, Ma., orer the 
Gong. Ch. in Soutn Berwick, Me. Sermon by 
Rev. Jamei M. Hoppin, of Salem. 



m-¥- 



(Eongresatfcinal Plhtistets MwciUti, 



DURIBO 1868. 



JAN. IS. Rer. I^ H. COBB, of No. Andorer, and 
MiH H. J. HERRIOK, of Makme, N. T. 

14. Rer. E. H. BTINGTON, of Royalton, Tt., and 
Miee ANN ELIZA, youngeet dangrhter of ReT. D. 
8. Hoyt, of New oaten, Yt. 

81. Rer. J. BRAOKETT, of New Salem, and Mn. 
SUSANNA UPHAM, of Wan, Me. 

MAT 4. Rer. O. N. WEBBER, of St. Johnibury. Tt, 
and Mies CHARLOTTE FAIRBANKS, of the 
same town. 

35. Rev. BENJAMIN SCUNJEIDEK, D.D., of Aintab, 
Syria, and Mtaa SUSAN M. ABBOTT, of Fram- 
ingham, Ms. 

JUNE 6. Rer. LTMAN B. PEET, of Fnh-Chan, 
ddna, and MIta HANNAH LOUISA PLIMPTON, 
ofSoQthbridge, Ma. 

la Rev. AUSTIN PHELPS, DJ)., Bartlett Profeaaor 
of Sacred Rhetoric In Andover Theological Semi- 
nary, and MIsa MARY A., daughter of Samoel 
Johnaon, Eaq., of Boaton. 

16. Rer. CLAR^fDON WATTE, of Rutland. Tt., 
and Miaa HARRIET 0., daughter of Mr. JAMES 
Baker, of PhiUipaton. 

28. Rev. WILLIAM OARRUTHERS, of Sandwich, 
Ma., and Mlaa MARTHA BAKER, of Ooahen. 

29. Rev. LTSANDBR DICKERMAN, of Glouceater, 
Ma., and Miaa LOUISA., daughter of Joaeph H. 
Tliayer, Eaq., of Boaton. 

JULY 6. Rev. AUGUSTUS 0. THOMPSON, of Rox- 
bury, Ma., and Mra. ELIZABETH, widow of the 
late Rev. Lyman Ontler, of Newton Comer, Ma. 

21. Rev. W. W. ANDREWS, of Wetherafleld, Ct., 
and Miaa ELIZABETH B., yonngeat daughter of 
the late John Williama. 



JULY 26. Rev. ALFRED STEARNS, of Weetmfaiiter, 
> Yt , and Miaa HARRIET N.. daughter of the late 
Amaaa Wood, of Millbnry, Ma. 

28. Rev. WM. HUTCHINSON, Mlaalonary to Tur- 
key, and Miaa F0RRE8TA G., daughter of Prof. 
Forreat Shepherd, of New Haven, Ot. 

29. Rev. JAMES P. KIMBALL, of Keokuk, Iowa, and 
Mlaa MARY P. DICKINSON, of Granby, Bla. 

AUG. 1. Rev. CHARLES BROOKS, of Byfield, Ma., 
and MiM NANCY L., dauriiter of DANIEL AD- 
AMS, Eaq., of Townaend, Ma. 

6. Rev. HIRAM MEAD, of South Hadley, Ma., and 
Mlaa ELIZABETH S. BILLINGS, of Andover, Ma. 

SEPT. 14. Rev. JAMES M. BELL, of Aahby, Ma., 
and MlBs SUSAN F. FRYE, of North Andover, Ma. 

28. Rev. WM. C. FOSTER, lae« of Lawrence, Ma., 
and Min MYRA G. ELLIOT, of Middletown, Ct. 

OCT. 20. Rev. EZRA ADAMS, of Gilaum. N. H., and 
Mlaa ALICE M. WARE, of Swanaey, N. H. 

20. Rev. WILLIAM SEWALL, of Lunenburg, Yt., 
and Mn. MARY B. DAYEE, of Portland, Me. 

27. Bev. ALBERT H. PLUMB, ot Cbelaea, Ma., and 
MIsa HARRIET ELIZA, eldest daughter of Jo- 
aeph Dart, Jr. Eaq , of Bufblo, N. Y. 

NOY. 9 Rev. ERASTUS COLTON, of Southwick, Ma., 
and Mrs. MARY A. BIATUEK, of CromweU, Ct. 

DEC. 11. Rev. HENRY C. FAY, of Northwood, N. H., 
and Miaa CAROLINE E. TALLMAN, of Rich- 
mond, Me. 

14. Rev. GEO. F. ALLEN, of Cambridgeport, Ma., and 
Miaa MARY A. LINCOLN, of Norton, lia. 



Congtesattonal iWfnisterst Beceaseti* 



DURING 1868. 



JAN. 6. Rev. ISAAC OARLETON, aet. 60, in Ox- 
ford, Me. 

II. Rev. HOLLOWAY W. HUNT, »t. 89, in Patoh- 
ogue, N. Y. 

26. Rev. THOMAS 8NELL, ast. 41, in Wetherafleld, 
Ilk 

FEB. 9. In BMgewater, Ot., Rer. FOSDICK HAR- 
RISON, let. 76, many years Paator of the Cong. 
Oh. in Bethlehem. 01. 

18. Rev. HORACB WOODRUFF, »t 64, in Hunting- 
ton, L. I. 

22. Rev. JONATHAN BARTLETT, aet. 98, In Red- 
ding, Ct. 

21 Rev. JOSEPH BLOOMER, et. 80, in McGregor, 
Iowa. 

27. Rev. LYMAN CASE, SBt. 66, of Coventry, Ct. 

MARCH 2. Rev. T. A. TAYLOR, set. 49, Paator of 
the Cong. Ch. in Slateravllle, R. I. 

10. Rev. N. W. TAYLOR, D.D., «t. 72 ; Dwlght 
Pro fc a e or of Didactic Theology in Yale Coll., 
Mew Haven, Ct. 



MARCH 17. Rev. LABAN AINSWORTH, «»t. 100, in 
Jaffrey, N. H. 

APRIL 1. Rev. NATHANIEL CHAPMAN, «»t. 69, of 
PIttaton, Me. 

4. Rev. ALYAN UNDERWOOD, aet. 79, of Weat 
;f^oodatock, Ct. 

MAY 14. Rev. RENNET TYLER, D.D., »t 76, 
late Profcsaor of Theology in the Seminary in 
Bast ^Indaor Ct. 

16. Rev. H. R. HOISINGTON, aat. 66, in Saybrook, 
Ct. 

21. Rev. DANIEL HUNTINGTON, formerly of No. 
Brldgewater, and Campello, Ma., aet. 70, in New 
London, Ct. 

80. Rev. LUTHBR R. WHITE, et 42, in Brighton, 
Iowa. 

JUNE 2. Rev. SAMUEL ANDREWS, «t. 71 in New 
Haveq, Ct. 

12. Rev. STEPHEN D. WARD, «t. 67 ; Pastor of 
the Gong. Ch. in Agawam. Ms. 



104 Quarter^ Meeting (f the Chng. Library AimeiaUan. [Jan. 



JUN1 19. IUt. XLI8HA BOCKWOOD, DJ)., «t 80, 

la SiTMiiBj, N. H. 
81. R«T. LUTHBR WRIGHT, »t 88, tn Wobonif Mi. 

ai. B«T. OBANVILLB WARDWXLL, mU 88, ftmMT- 
]/ of KiUipiti~*i Mkh., in WcMmlMter, Tfc. 

JULY 6. B«T. OBRA PKABSON,»t. 80, In PMehun, 

Vt. 
M. IUt. LINCOLN RIPLET, at. 97 jmii, 10 mot., 

in Watcrfbrd, If •. 

S9. R»T. JBRBMIAH ATWATSR, «t 84, in N«w 
HftTen, Cfe. 

AUG. 28. R«T. KPHRADf O. SWIFT, »t. 78, in 
BuflUo, N. T. 

SEPT. 1. R«T. BENJAMIN SMITH, «t 43, in 
Utehflald, Ct. 

7. Her. JOSHUA R. BROWN, wt 46, in But Long- 
mMdow, Ma. 



OCT. 14. B«T. JOHN 8AWTBR, DD., at. 108, In 

Bftttgor, M«. 
^ R«T. AUSTIN 0. HUBBARD, at. CO, in BimtUt- 

boro', Yt. 

^ Rot. JOHN FERGUSON, at. 70, in Whatelj, Mi. 

NOT. 18. R«T. AMOS SAYAQil, at. 60, in N«w 
HaTen,Ct. 

DEO. 7. In Owlukd, Yt, Itor. HENRY WHITE, at 
67, fbnnerly orLonpnMdow, Mi. 

16. In SliefBald, Ms., R«t JAS. BRADFORD, at. 72. 

24. In Fitelilnirg, Mi., Rar. JOHN S. FARWBLL, 

at. 49. 
26. In G«(n«Btown, Mi., Rer. ISAAC BRAMAN, 
at Ml. 
DTTlM aTtnflt tfe of tbe 88, abort loeordad, is 
Marlj 67 7Mn~«n nneoounonly high aToraft. Tha 
paretntagaof nortaUty is as 86 to 2,408,or 1,49. 



QUABTERLY MEBTING OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. 

The Conductors of this Journal, as the public have already been informed, intend to report 
the doings of the body abore^named ; and they hope also to enrich its pages by occasionally 
inserting a paper communicated through this medium. The meetings, which occur regularly 
on the last Wednesday afternoons of February, May, August and Norember, are open to all 
members, and have generally afforded an ample recompense for the time and trouble of at- ' 
tending. 

At the last meeting Mr. David Pulsifer, who was expected to read a paper previously aa- 
signed, having been unavoidably prevented from making the requisite preparation, took up 
the ease of the Jewish child Mortara, whose abduction and Popish baptism have produced 
such a stir throughout Christendom, and entertained the audience with an unwritten state- 
ment of the hardships imposed on that cast-off nation. 

The same gentleman also read, and subsequently presented to the Association, a manuscript 
letter from Rev, George Whi^/ield " to the Honorable Josiah Willard, Esq., of Boston," dated 
** New-town in Maryland, May 6, 1747," expressing deep concern about ** dear New Eng- 
land's sorrowful circumstances." We give the following extract : ** Glad would I be to come snd 
offer myself once more to do New England serrice ; but I am afraid many ministers, and the 
heads of the people would not bear it. However, was this my only reason, it would soon be 
answered. But here are thousands in these southern parts (as you observed, Honored Sir,) 
that scarce ever heard of redeeming grace and love. Is it not my duty, as an itinerant, since 
other places have had their calls and awakening seasons, to go where the gospel has not been 
named? Those that think I want to make a party, or disturb churches, do not know me. I 
am willing to hunt in the woods after sinners ; and, according to the present temper of my 
mind, would be content that the name of George Whitfield should die, if thereby the name 
of my dear Redeemer could be exalted." 



The Editors of the Ccngregationid Quaritrly beg the indulgence of the public for a slight 
delay in the printing of this their first issue, which has been made unavoidable by the illness 
of one of their number. They also hope that the contents of the number will be judged with 
leniency in the recollection that, with the exception of the brief article on *< Father Sawyer," 
which was prepared beforehand for another use, every line has been written as well as printed 
within the last five weeks. Hereafter th4 tables, statistics, &c. &c., will be so made up as to 
evade some liabilities to error which have been unavoidable in the haste with which eTery- 
thing has been necessarily done. They have such arrangements in progress that they feel 
sure of being able t» give to every one who may be pleased to become a subscriber to this 
QitarUrly much more than the flill worth of his subscription, in various kinds of matter, not 
easily to be had elsewhere. They especially bespeak the kind patronage of the ministry and 
deacons of the denomination whose interests, biographical and otherwise, will be specially 
had in remembrance. If only every Congregational Minister and Deacon should become a 
subscriber, we should at once gain a list which would enable us greatly to enrich our pages, 
without increase of price.^— Several biographies— including one of Dea. David Goodale, of 
Marlboro', Ms., and one of Dea. Moses Webster of Haverhill, West Par., Ms.,— in type, have 
been, unavoidably, crowded over to the next number. 



0m. 






i^ik-^x"*'^*^^^ \ 



N ' 





aZ^^y-fi-ayza^ €i/,irr>Tri^ 



THE 



^ffttflnjgattffttal ^ttarterlg. 



Vol. L— APBIL, 1859/— No. H. 



LEONARD WOODS. 

*T MMT, a. A., ULmXKCM, S.D., XAtT VDCSSOK HIUi, OT. 

LmvABD WboBA wailxnm in Prince- of those- gentle and loving apiriti, wbOM 

ton, M«kL, m te iMi of June, 1774. iceptre of inflnence is the more potent, 

Thn% among those green and snnnjr hills, because so mild, that its satrjects ate nn- 

commeaeed his existence, whose life and conscious of an3rthing but pleasure in ae- 

labon hiifve enteied lai^ljr into that lor- quiescence. >^th an unwavering faith 

mative inflnence, which divine Providence in the covenant promises, she gave back 

is emploTing ftir die worid's culture and all her children to God, who had given 

Christiaaliation. He was baptized the them to her. And when her son Leon^ 

day he wa^ bom; parental piety seeking ard was debating the question of strog- 

this pn-engagement of ootenant grace at gling for a liberal education, and his father 

the veiy itartittg point The &ther and had told him he could render him but lit* 

mother, wiA tibie parish minister and a tie assistance, — confiding in God and her 

few fHends, were Uie only visible actors own resolute will, she said to him, ** I can 

and w itnes s es in this transaction. But, on help you along." And she sought wool 

that same day, aceoiding to the divine de- and flax, ** and laid her hand to the spin- 

cree, |m entry was made in the Book of die," thus nobly redeeming her pledge. 

Life. And there were invisible spectatmv The sturdy, oak-like characteristics of 

of the baptismal scene, fhm& those **• nunis- the father were finely blended in the sooi 

tering spirits seat fbrth to minister for with the vine-like nature of the mother, 

them who shall be heirs of salyadon." He was not one of those prodigies that 

The father, Lemuel Woods, though come to their maturity in the cradle, or 

without classical culture, was familiar with soon afVcr leaving it, though he eariy dis- 

thestandard English authors in Literature, covered a love for books, and for those 

Philosophy, and Theology. And he pos- especially which led him to think. He 

aessed a power of penetration, which qual- was often attracted from the sports com- 

ified him to explore the higher regions of mon to children of his own age, by the 

metaphysical thought with success and conversations and philosophical discussions 

delight of his father with the neighbors. When 

The mother, Abigail Woods, was one six or seven, he commenced the study of 

VOL. I. 14 



106 



Leonard Woods. 



[Afbil, 



Arithmetic, by copying examples on birch- 
bark, as he heard them given to a class of 
large boys at school ; and he obtained the 
answer as soon as they, and sometimes 
sooner. At home, his father gave him 
more difficult problems, letting him study 
several days till he had solved them, rath- 
er than assist him. STo this early disci- 
pline, he felt himself indebted for much of 
that patience and perseverance in inves- 
tigation which characterized his after life. 
If he had fewer books to read, like other 
children of that generation, they were not 
mere tinctures or phantoms of knowledge, 
but, for the most part, solid and useful. 
And they were also better read, and oflen, 
from sheer necessity, re-read and pon- 
dered, until the facts and principles which 
they contained were digested, and incor- 
porated into the mind*s life and activities. 
In this way the thoughtful boy made his 
entrance early into the Mathematics, His- 
tory, Philosophy and Christian Doctrine, 
not by forcing processes, but gladsomely, 
as into the familiar apartments of his own 
lather's house. 

The father intended him for a farmer, 
— to take the homestead and be the staff 
of his old age. But his mother, under the 
divine guidance, had other plans, in the 
unfolding of which, the father gradually 
gave way. The son, too, seems early to 
have leaned to his mother's side. He 
wished for a thorough education, when as 
yet there was no prospect of such a boon, 
and he had a thought not clearly defined, 
that he might, — perhaps an expectation 
that he should be, a minister. A sickness, 
occasioned by what we usually term an 
accident, but which was really a provi- 
dence, was prolonged till the father*8 de- 
sign respecting his son was weakened, 
and the mother's had grown into sove- 
reignty. By such means, God brought his 
purpose to the inception, and it was de- 
cided that Leonard should immediately 
begin the study of Latin, which he did 
with the parish minister. This was a de- 
terminative period, which gave direction 
to the whole course of his subsequent 
history. 



His preparation for college was mostly 
a matter of self-culture. Three months 
were all the regular academical tuition 
his circumstances would allow. These 
were qpent at Leicester, under the excel- 
lent training of Mr. Adams, afterwards 
professor of Mathematics in Dartmouth 
College. 

He entered at Harvard in 1792. His 
college life drew him froin the salutary 
influences of home, and brought him into 
new trials of his principles, and new 
temptations to swerve from them. It 
was, too, at the darkest period, morally, 
in the history of our country. The 
infidelity which had jnade France a seeth- 
ing caldron of malignant passions, had 
stretched across the ocean, and was set- 
tling thick as night on all the land. It 
entered the institutions of learning, and 
the lights of piety went out During a 
part of young Woods' college course, the 
late Dr. John H. Church was the only 
professor of religion in the four classes. 
In Yale, the state of things was but little 
better. It was the fashion to laugh at 
Christianity, after the manner of Voltaire 
and Paine, and it was deemed a mark of 
superior intellect and wisdom to pity, or 
to scorn a believer in its doctrines. The 
discourses of Dr. Dwight arrested this 
evil in Yale College, though it continued 
in Harvard. He punctured the balloon 
on which the stripling philosophers had 
soared so high, and with the collapse, the 
theological aeronauts suddenly descended 
to a sobriety in which they saw that it is 
the fool and not the wise man that says, 
" There is no God." 

Mr. Woods was better prepared by his 
early religious training to withstand such 
pernicious influences, than most of his com- 
panions. His associations and his convic- 
tions were on the side of faith in the 
Christian Doctrines. He therefore re- 
pelled the open and gross assaults upon 
them, while in the subtler and more se- 
ductive forms of the Priestlian specula- 
tions, the poison took eflect He was 
attracted to this materialistic philosophy, 



1859.] 



Leonard Woods. 



107 



thb philosophic natnraliflni, as many others 
baTO been, by what he took to be a firmer 
basis in the attested properties of matter, 
tiian could be found for the doctrines of 
grace in the realm of mind and of supema- 
tnralism. But he did not reflect that the 
eridence on which he accepted the exist- 
ence and properties of matter came to him 
tiiroagh the cognitions of his own mind, and 
that therefore the material philosophy must 
be logically baseless, except as it rests on 
something firmer in what is mental and spi- 
ritual. Another attractive point in this di- 
rection which gave force to his rationalistic 
tendencies, was, that these speculations 
exalt the human reason into an arbiter, 
and give it jurisdiction over all God's 
works and his Word, adjusting the pur- 
poses and wisdom of the infallible Creator 
to the judgment of the fallen and fallible 
creature. It makes no allowance for the 
dubious and defaulted character of the 
general reason, nor for the endless varia- 
tions and contradictions and absurdities of 
the individual reasoners. This line of 
thought, was new to him, and it seemed 
original and profound. It chimed with 
that pride of opinion, and self-reliant ad- 
Tenture, so common in the heat of youth- 
ful and immature scholarship, which, as 
Dngald Stewart says, ** grasps at general 
principles, without submitting to the pre- 
▼ioos study of particular facts." It is 
what Lord Bacon terms the sole cause 
and root of almost every defect in the 
sciences — that ** while we falsely admire 
and extol the powers of the human mind, 
we do not search for its real helps." It is 
the philosophy of abstraction, not of pa- 
tient investigation and induction. It 
opened to him a new way of adjusting, 
satisfactorily to his conscience, his own 
state and relations to his Maker, and one 
apparently so simple and easy, as to cast 
suspicion upon ** the old paths " \i^ which 
the fathers had walked with God. 

This was the state of Mr. Woods' mind 
in relation to these great problems, when 
be was graduated in 1796, bearing with 
bim the first awards of scholarship. Says 



his friend and classmate, the Rer. Samuel 
Dana, of Marblehead, ** He was decidedly 
the first member of the class for intellee- 
tual attainment, among such competitors 
as John Pickering, and James Jackson. 
He had the highest assignment at com- 
mencement, and delivered an oration 
which was much admired for its literary 
excellence." 

On leaving College, he marked out for 
himself a plan of study in Philosophy, 
History, and Belles Lettres, and of general 
reading, which was to occupy the two fol- 
lowing years. Retiring to his father's, in 
Princeton, he entered upon this plan with 
the greatest enthusiasm. The excellent 
library of Rev. Thomas Prince, the dis- 
tinguished chronologer, to whose memory 
a worthy tribute was paid in the first 
number of this Journal, had been taken 
to Princeton, by Lieut Gov. Gill. He 
was the son-in-law of Mr. Prince, and, in- 
heriting the estate of his wife's father, she 
being the only child that survived his 
death, this valuable library came into his 
possession. To this storehouse of learn- 
ing, free access was given to Mr. Woods, 
as it had been while in college, and to his 
father before him. He resumed his study 
of Priestly, and commenced JustinianYi 
Institutes, preparatory to a thorough 
course of Roman History. This more 
solid study was diversified with Marmon- 
tel, Ossian, or Thompson's Seasons, a 
novel of Richardson, Don Quixote, or 
some of the standard English Dramas. 

The Rev. Joseph Russel had just been 
ordained Pastor of the Church in Prince- 
ton, and still lives in Ellington, Ct, a 
rich repository of useful information, 
bringing forth fruit in a ripe and venera- 
ble old age. Speaking of Mr. Woods at 
this period, he says : 

'* On his return to Princeton, afler 
Commencement, he attended our meet- 
ings regularly on the Sabbath, and 
appeared, I thought, an attentive hearer. 
In the series of discourses from the desk, 
during that period, the doctrines of grace 
were considered, proved from Scripture, 



108 JLecmrd W(¥^. [Anfl, 

«iqiMQ.«4 4ikI itpplML .... Tkeaedoc- WoodtvpplM ^9^h^ 9MiK^1» ppfe«ftf 

j^tinfi^ were pretty cert«in to come up in pnelbodioiilly, nad to imA ^^h^\ogy afior 

QQnypr^atiofU ^ ^ viaited me from time W h«d completed spch MMdieis ai hfi 

to tune- His feeling, as I had abundant thought should precede i$^ This did not 

Hjvidence, 49t strongly against many of satisfy his friend, i^r he meant, not dog- 

ftff^m. His leading and associations had matic, but practical Theolofry, and h^ dM 

IMde a d^cp impression upon hb mind, not part with Mr. Woods till be prosaiaed 

IHi&Torable to theee doctrines, and to to procure the life of Dr. Poddiid^ and 

those ministers then on the stage, most read it without delay. After his veturp 

^ist^nguisfeked ^r preaching the Calvinis- from Cambridge, this prome proved a 

tip i^stem in its purijty and power. As burden to him. But, although he setnm- 

}^ made pljection.s, I endeavored to ed to his literary prqjec^ witjh redoubled 

jpbviate them. And, thoii^h his mind ardpr, he determined to pal&i it. He 

appeared to yield in some degree, his pre- thereft>re, qet apart a short time, ni^ and 

pofpessicns were too strong and deep- morning far the perusal of the Bible, the 

xpoted to be removed at once. But life of Doddridge, and other religious 

t|at>ughQut there was evidently great boo)LS, " supposing," as he says, *' thai he 

^aodo^f and an honest desire to come to could thus infuse a leaven of piety into 

•the truth, and a willingness to gain in- all his studies and conduct" In Dr. 

atrncjtion, come from what source it Doddridge's Life, he discovered principles 

^j^ht." of action and traits of chaivcter to which 

An entiy in Mr. Woods' Journal, after he felt himself a stranger. This led to 

4pie of these interviews, shows that he was self-knowledge, and made him anxious in 

daeply in^uresped with the prudence, regard to his own moral state. From th^ 

IDpdesty and gentl^iess of hb reverend Life of Doddridge, he proceeded to his 

i^piend, and that he considered him greatly ** Rise and Progress," dwelling particn* 

.snperior to himself in true wisdom and larly on the devotional exerciaes ^ the 

gpodness. ^ Some painful reflections," he end of each chapter. In this connection, 

^ntinnes, <* were fiirced upon me on my he carefully read, or rather studied, at the 

jray home. I felt my want of real virtue suggestion of his pastor, the first nine 

and piety, while my reason declared their clusters of the Epistle to the Knnmniw 

indiapensable importance." During this the Epistles to the Galatians and ihfi 

pappd of doubt, darkening into unbeliei^ £phiesians,and the third chapter of John's 

Ihe Lord Jesus was his ideal of virtue. Gospel. This he did amidst many per- 

Before the exc^lence of his character, he plexities, and with distressing trials of 

bowed in the most profound reverence, spirit Here, on this groundj the two 

** Whether he be man, angel, or God," antagonistic tendencies in him met, and 

he aays, ^ there is something in the char- tried their strength. Philosophy was 

acter of Jesus Christ which attracts and arrayed against f^uth, and reason againal 

wanns the soul. I would rather follow revelation, ^e saw distinctly the mo- 

him, or be like him, than to excel the mentous conclusions that hung on the 

most illustrious name in the history of the issue- If Paul and Jesus are reliable 

world." expounders of the doctrines of faith and 

At the commencement of the next term of salvation. Priestly and all others who 

in College, he visited Cambridge. His set aside those doctrines, must be held as 

friend, Mr. Church, just entering on his sciolists and teachers of error. On this 

Senior year, saw the drift of his mind, there was a bard struggle. The skepti- 

and true then as ever after, to his evan- cal philosophy had drawn him to this 

gelical principles, snggested that he had class of writers by a mesmeric spell which 

better read something on Theolpgy. Mr. was not easily broken. And further^ aa 



imn] 



Zecswd WixKlt. 



m 



)i# if^ttl 'OH fmjwMif stadying the 
8oHp|t«re8, tUs n^ernative gradually fxre- 
90iite4 UtM He must place upoo ihp 
la^ignpigp of the apostles and the Saviour, 
a CQQStractioii which his cooscience would 
mit idlow in the interpretation of other 
liriteTs, or accept what had come to be 
Ilia repulsive ^stem of John Calvin and 
the Catechisiii. This, as we might well 
•opposOf staggered him still more. He 
ooiikl not ignore the alternative, and he 
eonld no more go round it than Balaam 
could go round the confronting angeL 
And, when he reflected what was at stake, 
he did not wish to turn back from it As 
he advanced in his inquiries, his interest 
iaereaaed. His literary pursuits were 
$nt intermitted, and then wholly sus- 
pended. From the disclosures thus made 
to him of his own condition ^ a sinner, 
all odier questions were, for a time merged 
in 4o momentous one propounded to the 
apoftles in Acts ii : 37. He had read his 
character in the Word of God as in a 
QiirTor, and he was confounded. And he 
read ao much more than he knew before, 
or even suspected, and which his con- 
acionsnefls now authenticated as true, that 
ha was certain that the revelation was 
divine, even to the minima of its aver- 
ments. He questioned and re-questioned, 
first his own heart, and then the in- 
ipired picture, and found both ever 
ntareing the same answer. The main 
points of the controversy were now dis- 
tinctly before him, and all converged to 
the alternative of acceptance of salvation 
om the Gospel terms, or its deliberate re- 
jection. In describing this part of the 
mental conflict, no words can be so ex- 
pressive as his own, in a letter to his 
friend, Mr. Church. 

** You wish to hear of the health of my 
ioaL After I wrote to you, I grew lower 
and lower. The exercises of my mind 
were very violent I feared a relapse 
into carelessness and unconcern. I could 
not obtain an answer to my prayers. I 
was clamorous in my address to God, but 
I ooold&ot find him. I sank, I sank! 



O the depths of despair \ Teiver, amae^ 
ment, cold chills of body and mind, some- 
times a flood of sorrow, hard thoughts of 
€rod, dreadful conceptions of his charac- 
ter, — I have no words to express my state, 
for about a week. I felt my health de** 
dining. I wandered about I Iried to 
run from myself. I awoke in the morn- 
ing and read my sentence for having 
committed the unpardonable sin. I should 
have preferred millions of mil}ions of 
millions of centuries of the most exquisite 
inisery to my chance*' 

Six weeks later, when the opposition 
of hb heart had been overcome, and the 
rising light was beginning to shine, hf 
writes to the same friend : 

'* I am a poor tempest-beaten creature. 
One day I feel quite easy ; the next I 
chide my foolish hopes. One time I give 
myself to Christ; another I fear I did not 
do what I thought I did. When I get a 
little joy by supposing that Christ will 
accept me, then I begin to think I am a 
little less sinful. That thought makes me 
more sa Alas, what snares I have been 
in!" 

But the tempest gradually subsided into 
the calmness of perfect peace, and the 
light continued to shine more and more 
unto the perfect day. His schemes of lit- 
erary ambition were entirely abandoned, 
and he devoted himself thenceforward to 
the Christian ministry. 

In this marked character of his eariy 
Christian experience, we find a key to 
Mr. Woods' views of Christian doctrine 
and life, as subsequently matured. He 
was ever afler impressed with an abiding 
sense of sin, as the great evil, with the 
necessity of the renewal of the whole man, 
and of forgiveness of sins through faith in 
the righteousness of Christ And the 
greater his advancement in personal holi- 
ness, the more visibly appeared the turpi- 
tude of his transgressions, and the nearer 
was he drawn to Christ, in humble and 
loving obedience. ** The sight of a thou- 
sandth part of my sinfulness of heart and 
life has filled me with amazement and 



110 



Lemard Woods. 



[Apbii^ 



shame. But O ! " he adds, ** there is 
rery plenteous redemption, sufficient even 
for me^ and if for me, for any one on 
earth." 

Such a work of the Holy Spirit carries 
the mind deeper than the surface, down 
to the very center of the Pauline doctrine 
of sin. It also interprets that moral an- 
tagonism in the progress of the Christian 
life, so graphically portrayed by the Apos- 
tle from the double standpoint of inspi- 
ration and the Christian consciousness. 
«• For the good that I would," he says, ** I 
do not; but the evil which I would not,' 
that I do. For I delight in the law of 
God after the inward man. But I see 
another law in my members, warring 
against the law of my mind." Augustine, 
by a similar experience, was brought to 
the same view. " Tole^ lege! tole, lege ! " 
fell from a child's voice upon his ear, in 
the beating of his agonized soul against its 
prison-bars. He rose, opened the epistles 
of Paul, and read, ** Put ye on the Lord 
Jesus." They were like living words 
from the lips of the great Helper, and 
the captive was made free. Of his far- 
ther conflict, ho says, " The spirit orders 
the body and it obeys instantly ; the spirit 
orders itself, and it refuses. Whence this 
monstrosity ? It is a disease of the spirit 
that prevents it from rising up; the will 
is split and divided, thus there are two 
wills in conflict with each other, one good 
and one evil, and / myself it was who 
willed f and who did not tcill.** Martin 
Luther obtained a clew to the same philo- 
sophy of sin in his convent struggles at 
Erfurth, when he cried out in bitterest 
grief, ^* O ! my sin, my sin, my sin! It is 
in vain that I make promises to God, sin 
is always too strong for me." " Cast.your- 
self into the arms of the Redeemer," 
said Staupitz. " Trust in him, in the 
righteousness of his life, in the expiating 
sacrifice of his death." And when the 
Augustine monk applied his anxious mind 
to those same epistles to the Romans and 
EphesiaYis on which our aspiring, but 
tempest'toflsed New England ftodent re- 



flected 80 deeply, and foond written there, 
•« The just shall live by faith$" from thai 
hour he went forth in the exuberance of 
the new life of love and faith, joyfully sing* 
ing, •* 1 believe, I believe in the forgiee^ 
ness of sins." ** His struggle of spirit," 
says the historian, ** had prepared him to 
understand the meaning of the inspired 
Word. The soil had been deeply 
ploughed, and the incorruptible seed took 
deep root" No other than Luther^s tjrpe 
of theology could grow out of Luther's 
experience, nor any other than Augus- 
tine's out of Augustine's experience. 

This view of the inner life of Mr. Woods, 
during his early conflicts, discloses the 
secret of that clear conception of the 
fundamental Christian doctrines, which 
marked his subsequent history, and of the 
iron grasp with which he ever held thena. 
The processes of his mind, in which he 
was transferred from a dead and deaden- 
ing philosophy, to a living and loving 
faith, were not produced by the heat of 
an excited assembly, or the rhetorical 
appliances of professional revivalists. 
They were carried on, for the most part, 
in the solitary walk, in the quiet of his 
own room, and in the sleepless hours of 
night It was not a time of God's gra- 
cious visitation to His Church, in which 
some minds are in danger of being moved 
only by human sympathy ; but just the 
opposite. Doddridge, prayer, and the 
Bible, were the instruments, and God the 
agent Hence his faith in the historical 
doctrines of Christianity was not a hered- 
itary, or a blind faith. His skeptical read- 
ing and reasonings had, in a great degree, 
efl*aced the teachings of his godly parents, 
but these had been effectually replaced 
and made vital by the Spirit of God, 
through his own independent examina- 
tions. He clearly perceived that these 
foundation doctrines of the Church are 
supported by the still deeper underlying 
facts of history. His creed, therefore, 
was never obliged to oflTer apologies to 
his understanding. It asked no concea- 
sion from philosophy, as if conciliatioQ 



1859.] 



Leonard Woodt. 



Ill 



coald be leciired only by dishonoring 
eompromise. But hb individual reason, 
enlightened and rectified by the pure and 
nniversal Reason, demanded that creed as 
necessary to its completeness and comfort 
Careful reading, and more of it, led him 
to question, not only the correctness, but 
the originality of what had attracted him 
aa subverave of the faith of the fathers, 
and as new. Careful reflection also soon 
showed that to be essentially contracted 
and shallow, which, under the lead of a 
peculiar class of minds, and from intent 
looking only in one direction, he had 
taken to be catholic and profound. It 
was a little knowledge that made him 
dkepticaL A wider range of thought, 
with deep experience, made him most 
devoutly believing. Infidelity i;i always 
and everywhere ** a vain deceit" Such 
the experience of Mr. Woods found it ; 
and he did not parley, but parted with it 
at once, entirely and forever. And he 
passed over into the center of the faith- 
doctrine freely, from the spontaneous affin- 
itks of the new birth. As was said of 
Dr. Chalmers, he did not force himself 
into it, but walked into it He did not 
fight his way, but found it open. And, once 
entered, the clearness of his perceptions, 
and the grasp of his faith, kept him fixedly 
remote from those laxities of doctrine 
and attenuating negations, which, like an 
isthmus, attempt to conjoin the opposing 
continentsof belief and unbelief. Never- 
theless, his experience of the skeptical 
philosophy was of no small service to him 
as a teacher of theology in later years. 
It enabled him to judge more correctly 
of the strength of the infidel side, to 
look lull in the face every rationalistic 
objection, and calmly strip it of all its 
sophistries and guises of truth. 

While under the lingering influence of 
fonner associations, he consulted with 
some of his College friends in reference 
to studying theology with them, under 
the direction of Dr. Tappan, of Cam- 
bridge, Rev. Mr. Bobbins, of Plymouth, 
or some other moderate Calvinist. But 



more mature thought, with the inflnenoe 
of his parents' and pastor, induced him to 
place himself, in company with Mr. Church, 
under the care of Dr. Backus, of Sbmers, 
Ct., whose reputation as a sound and 
successful teacher, drew to him some of 
the most promising students in New Eng- 
land. 

He was licensed to preach in the 
Spring of 1798, by the Cambridge Asso- 
ciation ; and in the following summer, was 
called to the Church in Newbury, as its 
Pastor. There were serious difiiculties in 
deciding the question of settlement. It 
was a large and influential Society. But 
the Church, with many others in New 
England, had adopted the Half Way 
Covenant— an expedient resorted to by 
the early settlers — to make amends for 
their error in limiting the rights of free- 
men to Church membership. Those who 
were aggrieved by this limitation, demand- 
ed either the right of suffrage, or exemp- 
tion from taxation. The State refused 
the latter, therefore the Church opened 
its door and admitted them, though unre- 
generate, thus granting them sufirage in 
the Church, as well as in the State. To 
defend itself again8t this error, or to make 
the evil tree bring forth good fruit, a 
regenerating efficacy came to be ascribed 
to the Lord's Supper, by which the unre- 
newed members of the Chun h might be 
converted. A third evil soon followed in 
this lapsing logic, and as the outgrowth of 
the former two ; namely, that the impeni- 
tent can make an acceptable use of the 
means of regeneration, — a dogma, which 
was briefly termed *' unregenerate doings." 
Now, to all these, Mr. Woods was intelli- 
gently and steadfastly opposed. He fore- 
saw the perils liable in any attempt to 
remove such antiquated errors and evils. 
But his way was finally made plain. He 
writes, '' I believe I have a providential 
call ; if so, it is not my duty to do any- 
thing that will directly counteract that 
call. But it is not a call unless I can 
comply with it, without violating my duty. 
So I must do duty and leave the event 



112 



Leohard WoodB. 



[AMEt% 



But Ihen I am doabtfhl irbat my doty is. 
I consider the Half Way CoTenant an 
error, and am willing to do everything, 
atid shall do ererything in my power, to 
extirpate it Now, shall I be most likely 
to conquer this enemy by deserting the 
field becanse I cannot at once prevail, or 
by keeping my ground, and persevering 
in the contest ?" 

Previously to the ordination, he drew 
up, with great care, a declaration of his 
faith, to be submitted to the Council, occu- 
pying four pages of foolscap, clos^y writ- 
tto. It was an unambiguous and full 
statement of his theological opinions. In 
the carefulness which marked all his 
movements, in assuming responsibility, 
Mr. Woods placed this paper in the hands 
of Rev. Joseph Dana, the patriarchal 
pastor of the ancient Church in Ipswich, 
requesting him to note what, if anything, 
he found not accordant with the teachings 
of Scripture. At the desire of the pastor 
elect, Mr. Dana read the statement to the 
Council, and concluded by expressing his 
entire agreement with every sentiment 
contained in it. As the several articles, 
" I believe," ** I believe," succeeded each 
other. Dr. Osgood, of Medford, whose 
liberal tendencies led him to oppose all 
creeds, broke out upon the young man, — 
** You believe ten times as much now as 
you will when you are as old as I am." 
The prediction, however significant it 
may have been of any unbelief in the 
prophet, since it did not come to pass, was 
evidently '* the thing which the Lord had 
not spoken." 

In the curriculum preparatory to the 
ministry, the study of Hebrew, at that 
time, had no place. Mr. Woods at once 
saw the importance of it, on entering upon 
his ministerial duties, and commencing 
the study immediately, he determined 
that no common events should hinder him 
front a competent knowledge of the 
Hebrew Bible. The results of this reso- 
lution laid open to him the contents of the 
Old Testament in the exact forms of 
thought ill which they came from the 



inspired penmen. This ga^re him one ef 
his best qualifications as a preacher and 
teacher of Christian Theology. He read 
many books, but he was evidently the 
student of this one book — the Bible. It 
was his sovereign arbiter, from whose 
decisions he sufiered no appeal, thoogh 
he gained from every leaf of the book of 
nature, elucidation and proof of its dictm. 
The first question that met him in its 
study was, what does it mean? After 
this, there was really no other, either in 
respect to the truth of die doctrines, or 
the duty of faith and obedience. The 
pseudo wise ones of our time, and of i^ 
times, call this reverence for the Bible, 
Bibliolatry and mental vassalage. Be it 
so. He gloried in such enthralment to 
heavenly wisdom. He exulted in this 
bondage of love to eternal law ; for he 
found the completeness of his freedom to 
be exactly as the strength of these bonds. 
His veneration for the Scriptures as 
divine, even to the letter, was the prin- 
ciple that underlay all others, in his study 
6£ them as a pastor and a teacher. He 
delivered himself up wholly to their 
guidance, mentally and religiously, be- 
cause his reason and consciousness taught 
him that it was the guidance of God. 
Under a similar formative influence of 
the divine Word, Rudolph Stier says: 
" It is because this living Word, in a 
thousand ways, has directed, and is ever 
directing, my inner being with all its 
intelligence, thought and will, that I have 
subjected to it the freedom of my whole 
being." 

As a preacher, Mr. Woods did not, as 
many in the Middle Ages did, and as 
some still do, divorce religion from rea- 
son, — faith from philosophy ; but he made 
theology the queen of the sciences, and em- 
ployed philosophy, and all other sciences, 
to give point and force to the purely goe- 
pel message. If his preaching at this 
early period was not so rich and compact 
in thought as later, it was yet peculiarly 
frerii, suggestive, and sometimes startling. 
It did not let the hearers sleep in their 



1859.] 



Leonard Woods. 



113 



pews, and often,. not on their pillows, till 
compunction had been followed by con- 
fessions and amendment His themes 
awakene<l new trains of thought, and his 
manner of treating them — logical, lucid 
and illustrative — impressed them strongly 
upon his auditors. They reflected on his 
sermons. They talked about them. They 
debated among themselves the ^* hard 
sayings" which they contained. They 
searched the Scriptures to see whether 
these things were so, and afler this, the 
people and the preacher generally came 
into pretty close agreement In his earn- 
est pressing of man*s great sin, and God*s 
greater salvation, on the dead ear of the 
world, and the dull life of the Church, 
youthful fire oflen kindled his mild blue 
eye into a magnetic eloquence, and 
wroaght his whole manly figure into a 
glow of simple but graceful action. This 
gave to his sermons, at times, the might 
of a living Gospel. 

The period of Mr. Woods' pastorate 
favored the development of his leading 
trsuts of character, and called for such 
men as he proved himself to be. The 
firm stand made by the elder Edwards, 
against the incursions of error, had, in a 
degree, been given up, under the delusive 
idea of victory; and the controversies 
which followed, when Bellamy and Hop- 
kins stood against Mayhew, Mills, Mather, 
Hart and Hemmenway, had subsided 
into a truce, in which the old faith 
was the loser. The theological atmos- 
phere of New England was comparatively 
calm ; but it was the quiet, partly of 
iodifTerentism, and partly of collecting 
forces for new and more earnest engage- 
ments. The ^vinis of Arminian and 
Socinian errors,ythough checked, had 
been working in and around Boston, 
lecretly or openly, for half a century. 
Doctrines were decried as indigestible 
i^nd unprofitable — meaning, however, only 
the old and generally accepted ones. 
Doctrinal difierences were reputed as of 
little moment ; but it was by those who 
were msufily intent on building up new 

VOX.. I. 15 



doctrines on the alle<i^d error and worth- 
lessness of the old ones. Dr. Porter, of 
Roxbury, one of the negative theologians, 
in a Convention sermon, said of Original 
Sin, Imputation, Trinity, The Deity of 
Christ, and other affiliated doctrines, 
" Neque teneo, neque repello." Exami- 
nations for licensure and ordination, were 
complained of as inquisitorial, and resisted 
by men who were in via media, between f 
Evangelism and Infidelity. Time hon« 
ored confessions of faith were eschewed, 
or attenuated, by an expurgating exegesis, 
to their feeblest substance of doctrines ; 
and the inspiration of the Scriptures c» 
which they rested, was reduced into com- 
patibility with false logic, false facts, and 
false doctrines in the writers. Old col- 
lections of Psalms and Hymns were dis- 
placed from the pews by new ones, more 
accordant with the new doctrines intro- 
duced into the pulpits. The Catechism, 
which had been the cherished compen- 
dium of the fathers for a hundred and 
fif\y years, was dishonored and cast out 
by some of the children. Harvard Col- 
lege was beginning to move from its 
chartered foundation, Christ o et Ecclesia^ 
over to the quicksands of Unitarianism ; 
and other funded institutions, endowed 
for the inculcation of the gospel, were on 
the same sliding scale. One almost ex- 
claims, with John Harmann of Kbnigs- 
berg, ** O what a negative age is this I 
what hosts of negative men ! All are 
bent on taking away, none will give, — all 
seek to destroy, none to build up." Or 
with the pious Count Stallburg, who said, 
when writing to Jacobi for an instructor 
for his children, *' I will have no Neolo- 
gian, though he be as learned as Aristotle, 
and as wise and virtuous as Xenophon. 
On this subject I am an intolerant I do 
not care whether he is a Lutheran or a 
Calvinist, but he must be a true believer in 
the gospel, I would rather have an hon- 
est Atheist, if there be any, than such an' 
empty talker, made up of belief and unbe- 
lief, as most of our theologians now are." 
The theologians of this period in New 



114 



Leonard Woods. 



[AnjLf 



EngUiDdf on a closer inspection, resolve 
themselves into four pretty distinctly 
marked classes. A little attention to this 
aspect of the times, will disclose to us 
more fully the theological position and 
bearing of the Newbury pastor. The 
first class was composed of those who 
adhered to the Confesnon of Faith and 
the Assembly's Catechism, interpreted 
according to the historical sense of the 
language. Dr. Morse of Charlestown, 
^v. Mr. Dana of Ipswich, and the Phil- 
lipses, founders of the Academy and 
Theological Seminary, at Andover, be- 
longed to this class, and were called 
** Old Calvinists." The second class modi- 
ified the teachings of the Catechism, on a 
few points, by certain principles to which 
Dr. Hopkins' name gave repute, and they 
were called '* Hopkinsians " and " New 
Calvinists." Of this class were Dr. Spring 
of Newburyport, and Dr. Emmons, the 
sage of Franklin ; but the latter so 
diverged from the Newport divine, on 
some metaphysical points, as to be more 
justly styled an Emmonsite than a Hop- 
kinsian. The third class called them- 
selves moderate, or low Calvinists, though 
they were really Anninians in transitu 
from orthodoxy to Unitarianism. Some 
of them did not go quite so far as that, but 
they went out from the old theological 
homestead with their faces thitherward. 
They claimed to be sound and orthodox, 
and, according to their own standard, 
they were so. They lamented the ten- 
dency to extremes of unbelief in the peo- 
ple, and endeavored to check it — similia 
similibus curantur — by a moderate unbe- 
lief in the preachers. They held high 
views of liberality and charity ; but, as is 
usual with dissentients from old accredited 
doctrines, they regarded all as narrow 
and bigoted who did not walk in the 
same broad way with themselves, and 
their charity was but feebly exercised, 
except towards those transitionists, who 
were leaving the old faith, and the destruc- 
tionists, who were laboring to destroy it 
The history of a portion of this cUm 



exhibits distingnished specimens of that 
theological equestrianism, in which the 
rider endeavors to keep his seat firmly on 
two horses at the same time. The fourth 
class consisted of those who had reached 
the goal of pure truth, as they supposed, 
in Socinianism — a modem compound of 
old Pelagianism and Arianism — ^but who 
did not regard it wise to have their 
arrival publicly announced. But they 
held an accusative, and sometimes, like 
Esau to Isaac, a derisioe attitude in rela- 
tion to the old historical faith. Unita- 
rianism in New England existed occultly 
with considerable organic force, at least a 
score of years before it came to the birth ; 
and then, like Minerva from Jopiter^s 
brain, it leaped forth in full strength, 
and armed, on the first descent of the 
orthodox polemical cleaver. 

Mr. Woods' theological aflinities con- 
nected him with the first and second of 
these classes in those great fundamentals, 
in which they both agreed with the 
received standards of Calvinistic theology. 
He loved the leading men of both, and 
had confidence in them, but regretted 
their differences, as weakening the evan- 
gelical forces against the common anti- 
evangelical foe. Other good men regret- 
ted them also. Dr. Samuel Austin said, 
" Our present state of disunion and con- 
fusion is our reproach." 

By an arrangement of Providence, Bir. 
Woods was brought into close connection 
with two leading men — one in each of 
these branches of the evangelical family. 
With Dr. Spring, he was in local prox- 
imity as the minister of an adjoining par- 
ish ; and in his intelligence, purity of 
purpose, and nobleness of self-denying 
piety, he ever had the most entire confi- 
dence. Their ministerial exchanges were 
frequent for those times, and notwith- 
standing the disparity of age, Mr. Woods 
being twenty-eight years the younger, 
their Christian communion was peculiarly 
free and precious. They were agreed in 
the substance of doctrine, and the prin- 
ciples and spirit of the Chriitiaa Ufa. 



1859.] 



Leonard WooA. 115 



They were agreed in attempting to weed illostrating Mr. Woods' view of the spirit 
ont from the churches the evils which had with' which snch a work should be under- 
sprung up from the Half Way Covenant, taken, he wrote to Dr. Morse, ** To daj 
from the idea of encharistical regenera- Panoplist is bom, and I hope it will live to 
tion and ** nnregenerate doings." They grow up and be a good man, the friend of 
were agreed in an endeavor to raise knowledge and religion. I hope and 
strong breastworks against all invaders pray that there may not be a ^ice of ill 
of the common heritage ; and in these nature in it This does not belong to the 
harmonies lay their s^nnpathy and their Christian armor." It was by his able 
strength. When Mr. Woods read before articles in this Journal, in defence of the 
the Association, an able paper on the doctrines of the Catechism, that his char- 
Half Way Covenant, Dr. Spring die acter as a theological writer, became gen- 
next day wrote to him, **I take this erally known. 

opportunity to express my deepest grati- The relations into which Mr. Woods 

tnde for the wise and masterly manner in had been drawn to these two parties, by 

which your question was considered yesr solicitation as well as sympathy, show that 

terday before the Sanhedrim." It ** is for he had become a marked man, and was 

want of information that we see so many regarded by both as an acquintion. If 

new things." On the ground of these he received impressions from these stal- 

affinities, when, in 1803, the Massachu- wart divines, it is evident that he made 

setts Missionary Magazine was com- impressions alsa If they, from the mo- 

menced by the Hopkinsians, Dr. Spring mentum of accumulated moral force, were 

solicited and obtained the aid of Mr. commanding in their positions, he, from 

Woods' able pen. the same cause, was so in his. And if 

On the other hand, he was on terms of his views were not altogether agreeable 
equally sincere friendship and Christian to the men on one side, neither were all 
con6dcnce with Dr. Morse, of Charles- of their views agreeable to him. But it 
town, an old Calvinist, and somewhat a is due to them to say, that they never 
leader of the right wing of the Calvinistic assumed the air of dictators towards him, 
body. His mind had breadth and com- and equally due to him, to say, that on 
prehenaon from close observation and such lofty themes as man, God, and their 
travel, and solidity and Bnish from reflec- mutual relations, no words of dictation, 
tion and classical culture. He had just except such as the Holy Ghost teacheth, 
received the degree of Doctor of Divinity would have had any weight wiih him. 
from the University of Edinburgh. Being But other events were casting their 
one of the overseers of Harvard College, shadows before, which were to bring Mr. 
he took the lead in a manly and well Woods into still closer and more import- 
directed opposition to the tide that bore ant relations to these branches of the Cal- 
that institution over to Unitarianism. — vinistic family. Both were projecting 
When in 1805, Dr. Morse was projecting plans for a .theological Institution Both 
the Panoplist, as the organ of the Old had their minds on him as a suitable per- 
Calvini?ts for the deftfuce of the historical son for the chair of theology. Dr. Morse, 
faith of the New England Churches, the who was in council with the Phillipses 
pastor at Newbury was the man chosen and Mr. Abbotof Andover, had requested 
to be joint editor with him in conducting him to direct his studies with reference to 
it' On the issue of the first numbi'r. as a thtological professorship. And Dr. 

iTb« BUteroeot In Spniicue's Animii*, thnt Dr. Spring, a little later, when he had ma- 



Moi*« " was tiiie editor fur five yr-r-"," wm n H')« tured in part his plans, wished him to 

from M o« mm .ppr..h*..pioD In the mm-, m Is impled ^^^.^ ^ ^^ appointment to the same place 
to Urn Jounua by I l>e lerm «//!<««, frt^uwHy tm- » . » "^ . ' 

pk>3«d, uuduMiM e«ruuii from ou>»r eTioin t. « » bemmary dislincUvely ilopkmsian. 



m 



Leonard Woods. 



[Axm, 



So greatly desired the establishment of a 
theological Institution on the basis of 
aonnd Calvinistic, Christian doctrine. He 
approved of the general plan of Dr. 
.3prir.g, and so did he that of Dr. Morse 
and the Andover men. But he saw the 
endless evils that would grow out of two 
sach conflicting institutions. He felt al- 
most, that none would be better than 
two, and he laid his plans and directed 
all his efforts to effect a union. Informal 
conference between the two parties com- 
menced in the latter part of 1806. In 
January, 1807, Dr. Morse wrote to Dr. 
Woods, " Confer with Mr. Spring, and 
let me know whether he intends to unite 
with or oppose us, in this Institution." 
^e did thus confer, and urged a union. 
Be said, '* We wish to have all the Or- 
thodox influence in our State concen- 
trated in our theological institution. This 
is exceedingly desirable. If we can only 
get all the Calvin ists together, we need 
not fear." What was his plan of harmo- 
nization ? '^ The Hopkinsians," he said, 
** must come down, and the moderate men 
must come up till • they meet Then the 
host will be mighty." 

When in the spring of 1807, the New- 
buryport men decided on an institution 
at Newbury, and designated him as the 
teacher of theology, and when he knew 
that such an institution had been deter- 
mined on at Andover. so intent was he 
on a union, that he did not accept the 
appointment The next day, after the 
meeting in Dr. Spring's study, at which 
the Seminary in Newbury was concluded 
on, he went to Charlestown to confer with 
Dr. Morse respecting a union. The next 
day but one. Dr. Morse went to Andover 
to see Dr. Pearson, Mr. Farrar, and the 
Andover founders, and two days later, on 
Saturday, he went to Newbury for fur- 
ther consultation with Mr. Woods. The 
Monday following, Mr. Woods and Dr. 
Morse went to Newburyport, and called 
on Dr. Spring with distinct overtures for 
a union, and thus the negotiations were 
commenced. 



Dr. Spring ui^ged earnestly the impQrt> 
ance of his plan, not so much from a 
deare to inculcate the dbtinctive points 
of Hopkinsianism, as from a fear, that 
otherwise, the churches would swerve 
from the fundamental principles of Cal- 
vinism. On those principles he distrusted 
the soundness of the Andover men. 
When, however, as the negotiations went 
on, he found that they took the doctrines 
of the Gospel as expressed in the Cate- 
chism, for the basis of their Seminary; 
and that he would be allowed to make 
that creed more secure, if possible, by 
adding another to it; and that a Board 
of Visitors, representing both classes of 
founders, having visitorial power over the 
original Board, might be established ; and 
when further, he learned that Messrs. 
Bartlett and Brown, on whom he relied for 
his endowment, preferred union on what 
all regarded as essentials, to division on 
what a part esteemed errors ; and, finally, 
when he understood that they wanted 
hi^ man for the chair of theology, then his 
opposition ceased. In the candor of a 
Christian magnanimity, that loves funda- 
mental truth more than a party, — though 
all his party did not agree with him, and 
a few were hardly reconciled to him on 
account of it, he gave his voice unquali- 
fiedly for union. Ever afler he lent all 
his wisdom and energy to a measure, 
which, to the close of his life, commended 
itself more and more to his judgment and 
his aU'ections. 

The Seminary went into operation 
Sept 25th, 1808, and opened to Mr. 
Woods the scenes of his life-labor, — the 
construction of his system of theology. 
On this he entered with the greatest en- 
thusiasm. But beibre proceeding to this, 
and, as the means of a more just view of 
his theological position and his labors, we 
will advert to a question which has ol\cn 
been mooted, whether Dr. Wooils, at this 
time, was a Ilopkinsian in the distinctive 
sense, or simply a Calvinist 

The question is one of historic verity, 
and has no bearing, as here considered, 




Leonard Wooda. 



117 



on the theological toundnefls or unsound- 
neas of the different parties. Be it of 
greater or less importance, it must be de- 
cided b^ the testimony of facts. Whether 
Dr. Woods, or any other man is to be 
regarded as a Hopkinsian or otherwise, 
depends on the breadth of meaning al- 
lowed to the term. The Hopkinsians and 
Old Calvin ists held most of their articles 
of faith as common ground, — given in the 
Assembly's Catechism and Confession. The 
latter accepted these symbols in what they 
understood to be the intent of their fra- 
mers. The former diverged from them 
in some particulars which they held 
to be important, and made what they 
called ** improvements" in the form of 
•* logical inferences." These divergencies 
and inferences were the reputed peculiar- 
ities of Dr. Hopkinson, and what distin- 
guished his followers from the Old Cal- 
▼inists. It is due to the Hopkinsians, in 
lustorical fairness, to say, that they pre- 
sented the strong points of Calvinism 
which were held in conmion, with more 
earnestness and power than did many of 
the other party. In this respect, Dr. 
Woods resembled more the Hopkinsians 
than he did many of the Old Calvinists. 
On this account he was sometimes classed 
among them, and was here in full and 
cordial sympathy with them. Further, 
such unflinching defenders of the doc- 
trines of Calvin and the Catechism, as 
was Dr. Woods, were often reproached as 
Hopkinsians by those who bad discarded 
these doctrines, and who, for strategical 
parposes, called themselves *' moderate" 
or "judicious Calvini^ts." They objected 
scarcely more to the peculiarities of the 
Newport, than to the principles of the 
Genevan divine. But by this means, the 
odium theologicum which attached to the 
peculiarities of one party, was employed 
to bring into disrepute, principles held as 
fundamental by both parties. Thus the 
third class of those New England theolo. 
gians sought to damage both the Grst and 
second, in what was far dearer to the 
Hopkinsians than their peculiarities. 



These evils of divbion, Dr. Woods saw 
and deeply lamented. And in his incul- 
cation and defence of what he believed to 
be the faith once delivered to the saints, 
he was not careful about names. His 
heart and hand were with any man's who 
was honestly and wisely engaged in this 
noble work, though he might not, in all 
respects, be in perfect agreement with 
him. He was never a partisan. He had 
no love for controversy. In his disagree- 
ments with those holding the ground prin- 
ciples of the Christian faith, he alwajrs 
sought for conciliation as well as correction. 
Now, whether Dr. Woods, at this period, 
accepted the peculiarities of Dr. Hopkins 
or not, we may decide from the following 
facts. 

1. Dr. Woods' theological training was 
under Dr. Backus, who did not adopt the 
reputed improvements of Dr. Hopkins. 

2. The declaration of his belief, pre- 
sented to the Council at his ordination, 
though long and explicit, did not contain 
one of them. 

3. These peculiarities do not appear in 
any of his printed articles, nor in his man- 
uscript or published discourses • during 
this period. 

4. When the Panoplist was established 
as the organ of the Old Calvinists, the 
Hopkinsians showing it no favor — some 
saying, **it will die soon," and others, 
" let it live if it can " — Dr. Woods was 
selected by Dr. Morse as associate ediror, 
and his pen did as much to make it live 
as that of any other man, and to give it 
sweep and force of enginery in those bat- 
tles of truth against error, in which it was 
engaged. In a series of letters *\To a 
Brother," over the signature of " Con- 
stans," he enters into an elaborate defence 
of Calvinism, in which, after having un- 
folded the system, he passes the following 
encomium. 

" Such, my brother, is genuine Cal- 
vini>m. I glory in being its adherent 
and its conscientious advocate, not because 
I value it as the ensign of a party, but 
because, in my view, it contains the sub- 



118 



Zeanard Woods. 



[ApbiI) 



stance of sacred tnitb, and echoes tbe 
Toice of God. Such, as I have imper- 
fectly described it, is tbe character it has 
taught me to ascribe to the great Being 
of beings. How attractive, how vener- 
able, how glorious I . . . Love is the sum 
of Jeb?vah*8 excellence — the ornament, 
the crown, the glory of hb character." 

6. While he never publicly contro- 
verted the Hopkinsians, lest their minor 
divergencies should give advantage to 
those who were most zealously assailing 
what he held in common with the Hop- 
kinsians, yet the leading men in the party 
fully understood his position. Dr. Spring 
very well knew that his younger brother 
did not agree with him in those peculiari- 
ties. Dr. Emmons also knew that he did 
not, and many were the labored argumen- 
tations, in which they endeavored, without 
effect, to bring him to their views. He 
was simply a Calvinist, neither high nor 
low. Nor was he this because of any 
authority in the name of a man, but 
because, after careful examination, he 
regarded the Calvinian system, as given 
in the Assembly's Confession and Cate- 
chism, as the most legitimate teaching of 
the Scriptures. He believed it explained 
and harmonized the facts of history and 
of consciousness, more perfectly than any 
other. He took no human system, dec- 
laration, or symbol, as the warrant or 
ground for his faith. He considered 
these, so far as they were correct, as 
expositions and witnesses to the truth. 

The Letters to Unitarians, written in 
1820, indicate that he was not perfectly 
satisfied with tbe language of the Cate- 
chism, as best expressing the doctrine of 
Original Sin. 

At that time, he, with many others, 
understood this language as conveying 
the idea of a literal transfer of the guilt of 
Adam*s first sin, — his personal blame- 
worthiness, over to his posterity, as their 
own ; making original sin consist in this 
transferred blameworthiness. To this idra, 
he was, in every period of his life, steadily 
opposed. And his veneration for that 



admirable compend of Christian doctrine, 
while, for a time, he supposed its langoage 
naturally conveyed it, did not procure for 
it a moment's favor. It was, in his view, 
neither a Scriptural nor a Calvinian doD- 
trine. Calvin explicitly repudiates it, 
though it has nevertheless been often 
ascribed to him. ** No other explanation 
therefore can be given," he writes, ** of 
our being said to be dead in Adam, than 
that his transgressions not only procured 
misery and ruin for himself, but also pre- 
cipitated our nature into similar destruc- 
tion. And that, not hy his personal guilt 
as an individual, tohich pertains not to us, 
but because he infected all his descend" 
ants with the corruption into which he 
had fallen." > 

In the Unitarian controversy, as in his 
earlier and his later writings. Dr. Woods 
held steadfastly to the same Pauline view 
of Imputation and Original Sin — the view 
presented by Calvin, Stapfer, Yitringa, 
and the elder Edwards; — viz., that God 
gave to Adam a posterity like himself, 
whose nature is morally depraved, but 
who, as Calvin says, ** are rendered 
obnoxious to punishment by their own 
sinfulness, and not, as if they were inno- 
cent, by the sinfulness of another." ' To 
this conception of the subject, from the 
study of the Epistles and Gospels, he 
came quite early, and from it he never 
swerved. In that controversy, strong in- 
ducements were held out for him to take 
lower ground; and one distinguished 
theologian, among the evangelical church- 
es, took sides against him on this point, 
and with the Unitarians. Nevertheless, 
as he had held and defended it before his 
inauguration, as the ground principle of 
Orthodoxy, so he steadily maintained it 
through the Unitarian controversy. So 
he did also in the part which he took in 
what is called the Connecticut contro- 
versy. And so it stands in the revision 
of his Works, which received the finish- 
ing strokes of his mature pen. The para- 



1 In«Utur«#, Book li., chap. 1., Me. rl. 
i IiuUttttM, Book U., eh»p. 1., mt, tIU. 



1859.] 



Leomrd Woods. 



119 



graph to which we hare referred, in the 
'* Letters to Unitarians," was omitted in 
the Works, not from anj change in " the 
orthodoxy which he defended in his con- 
troversy with Ware," because there was 
no such change ; but for reasons which 
are fully and frankly stated in a note 
where the omission occurs ; a change of 
view in respect simply to the meaning of 
a word. '* AVhen I wrote those * Letters 
to Unitarians,' I had a different opinion 
from that which I now entertain respect- 
ing the meaning of the word imputation 
or impute. In conformity with many 
excellent ministers of the gospel in New 
England, I had been accustomed to give 
the word a signification widely dlfierent 
fitun what it bears in the Scriptures, and 
in the writings of standard Calvinistic 
divines generally. The word, as I now 
understand it, is properly used to express 
the effects of Adam's sin upon his pos- 
terity, and of the righteousness of Christ 
upon believers. ... I consider the word 
as denoting the very doctrine which is 
repeatedly and very plainly expressed in 
Bom. 5 : 12-19. It will be seen that the 
change, in my opinion, respects merely 
the proper signification of the word. To 
adapt Letter VI. to my present views, I 
omit most of two paragraphs.^ 

In respect to the construction of Dr. 
Woods' Theological System, its analysis 
would give the most life-like view of it, 
and show it to have proceeded objectively 
with reference to antagonistic errors, and 
systems of errors, and subjectively from 
the point of Christian experience. The 
slightly polemical aspect which it bears, is 
a logical necessity in any scientific and 
defensive systematization of Christian 
doctrine. Besides, by the Constitution of 
the Seminary, every person elected a 
Professor is required not only to make 
and subscribe a declaration of his faith in 
the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel, 
as expressed in the Assembly's Shorter 
Catechism, but solemnly to engage to 
teach these doctrines " in opposition not 

1 Wockt^ToL !▼., p. 8A. 



only to Atheists and Infidels, but to Jews, 
Mahommedans, Arians, Pelagians, Anti- 
nomians, Arminians, Socinians, Unita- 
rians and Universalists, and to all other 
heresies and errors, ancient or modem, 
which may be opposed to the gospel of 
Christ, or hazardous to the souls of men.* 
Dr. Woods, in this work, made much 
use of a few principles which he regarded 
as axioms. 

1. God's actions are infallible expo- 
nents of his purposes. 

2. All questions which admit of it| 
should be settled in the light of facts. 
This gave as his method, the Baconian 
or Inductive Philosophy, which he held 
to be as necessary in mental and moral, 
as in natural science. It saved him from 
empiricism and the mazes of useless and 
wasteful speculation outside the limits of 
human knowledge. 

3. A proposition, which is proved by 
good and sufficient evidence, cannot be 
held as doubtful, because of certain diffi- 
culties which may be connected with it 
The difficulties arise ont of the abyss of 
the unknown, but the proofs from what 
is well known. 

4. Revelation and right Reason are al- 
ways harmonious, and progress in theo- 
logical science consists in the processes 
for rectifying the latter, through the illu- 
minations of the former. 

His starting point was Theopneustia, 
Against Atheists. Pantheists, Deists, and 
all philosophic Rationalists, he taught that 
the Bible, not merely contains, but is a 
revelation from God, to all who reafl it, 
as well as to the writers ; — that it is a 
perfect rule of faith, and, as to authority, 
a finality in all matters on which it 
speaks. It is a divine organism, a theop- 
neustic instrument in the execution of 
God*s purpose of redeeming love. In its 
production, the divine and human agen- 
cies were so conjoined, that the writers 
were free, though not fallible. It is theop- 
neustic in every part, God being the mov- 
ing agent, and in form and style, anthro- 

i OoBsUttttloB.ud StakalM, Art. sil., p. 0. 



120 



Leonard Woods. 



[ApiML, 



pneustic in every part, man being tbe sub- 
ordinate agent. It is infallible in its state- 
ment of the facts of history and of science, 
as in its enunciation of the moral doctrines 
of creation providence and redemption, 
^hicb rest for support on those facts. 
The inspiration covers the whole sub- 
stance or contents of Scripture, and is 
consequently plenary. It extends to the 
external form or language, and is there- 
fore verbal, — God teaching not merely 
what to write, but how to write it ** The 
books are therefore both human and di- 
vine." * 

In his doctrine of man, or Anthropology^ 
against all theories of emanation, efflux 
6f divine substance, or development, he 
taught man's creation by the direct act of 
bis Maker; — that he was created in a 
state of ph3rsica], mental, and moral per- 
fection, and in the likeness of God as to 
lus rational and immortal being ; — that he 
Was mutable as to his moral nature, and 
that in the use of his free will, by trans- 
gression, be fell from his primitive holi- 
ness, by a change of his affections or 
disposition. By divine constitution, the 
first man was the federal or moral, not 
less than the natural head of the race. 
On account of this unity of the human 
family, his posterity partake of his fallen 
nature. This passing over of the effects 
of Adam's transgression, to his posterity, 
is the imputation of his sin. 

Dr. Woods taught the free moral agency 
of man as a fact of consciousness ; — 
moral, from its relation to the moral law, 
and to moral causes or motives; — free 
fh>m coercion, but not from native sinful 
bias, nor from the influence of motives, 
subjective and objective, nor free from 
the law of choice according to the strong- 
est motive ; nor free either, in the sense 
of an equilibrium between good and evil, 
or of a self-determining power of the will, 
or of the power of a contrary choice, but 
free to act as he chooses, and to choose as 
he pleases. He held to natural ability 
in the sense of those faculties or powers, 

1 Worki; ToL 1- pp. 9$-198. 



and external opportunities which consti- 
tute responsibility, but denied it in the 
sense of a power adequate to the right 
use of these faculties, in the removal of 
that native sinful indisposition to obe- 
dience, which constitutes man's moral ina- 
bility. For this, no power is adequate but 
that of the Holy Spirit The exercise of 
that power to this end, is the change of 
man's moral disposition, — the conunence- 
ment of the new life of faith and love, 
which is called regeneration. This gives 
man's responsibility and dependence, and 
calls him both to prayer and to action.' 

In the department of Theology^ specifi- 
cally considered, Dr. Woods established 
the divine Existence, Unity, and essential 
Personality, respectively against Atheists, 
Polytheists and Pantheists. And in op- 
position to all forms of Sabellianism, 
Arianism and Socinianism, he hud out in 
a manner not exceeded in any language, 
the solid, immovable proofi of the Trinity 
immanent in the divine Unity, and de- 
fended it against the charge of Tritheism, 
and of arithmetical absurdity. 

In respect to the moral goverment of 
God, he taught that it is perfect and needs 
no amendment. The problem of moral 
evil can be satisfactorily solved only on 
this hypothesis, which renders evil triba- 
tary to the best and highest ends of the 
moral Governor. Its introduction by the 
creature's evil agency, which makes it 
anti-theistic in its nature, was neither an 
event which he could not have prevented, 
had he seen it best, nor was its permission 
a mistake, which more wisdom would have 
enabled him to avoid, but a part of that 
eternal and wise plan, chosen by infinite 
love and executed by infinite power, which 

" Oat of eril, still edoera good, 
And better, thence afain and Iwttsr itill 
In infinite progreulon." 

Every other theory he regarded at 
without Scriptural basis, and an impeach- 
ment of the divine wisdom in not devis- 
ing the best system, or the divine benevo- 
lence in not choosing it* 

« Works, Vol. II. p. 696. Vol. III. pp. 1-8U 
• Works, Tol. I. pp. lM-381. Tol. T. pp. 849-460. 



1889.] 



Leonard Woodi. 121 



In Soteroloffy, or the doctrine of the is the application of the atonement, or the 
Saviour, as it lies in his theology, there actual salvation of those who believe, — 
is nothing ambiguous or obscure. The the one being provisional and unlimited, 
real^ Incarnation of Grod in Christ, — the other being actual and limited by 
the union of a true, human body and a election and regeneration. ^ 
reasonable soul, with the divine Logos, or In reducing these, and other great and 
eternal Son, in one redempdve person, is correlated truths of revelation to system- 
unfolded against the Docetse, who held atic form. Dr. Woods, as other writers 
only a phantom body, and the Apollina- have done, made the detection of error 
rians and Swedenborgians, who deny to more sure, and the defence of the Chrift- 
Christ a human soul, — also against the tian doctrines more easy. These truths 
Monophysites, who believe in only one in their logical order, are more readily 
natore, in one person, — and the Nestori- seen to be homogeneous and proportionaL 
ana who hold the two natures in two By their integration, each part of the 
persons. The whole work of Christ was system lends support to every other part, 
mediatorial, in the prophetical, priestly, and thus the whole is made firm. Hence 
and kingly offices. The two natures were the objections to systematic theology arise 
joined but not confounded, or so merged, mainly from errorists, or those inclininj^ 
as that the finite-human partook of the to error. 

pxoperties of the Infinite-Divine or the Dr. Woods did not claim to be original, 
Divine-Infinite the natural properties of though no one can read his theology, 
the finite-human, but were distinct, yet without perceiving its strongly marked 
united in one person, constituting thus individuality. It is his system, and could 
the condition of effective mediation in the be that of no other man. But, in doc- 
work of redemption. Christ's perfect trine, he originated nothing. Edwards 
obedience to the preceptive law, was a and John Calvin held the same. Nor 
qualifying condition of that vicarious suf- were these doctrines first taught by the 
fering of the penalty of the law, which Genevan divine. Bernard found them 
constituted the essence of the atonement in Augustine, and Augustine in Cyprian, 
The suffering was penal, not from desert and Cyprian in Tertullian, and all these 
in the sufferer, but by voluntary substitu- found them in the canonical Gospels and 
tion. It was not the identical penalty Epistles, to which they were referred for 
due to the guilty, but an equivalent, as- authority. This indicates that Dr. Woods' 
snmed in their behalf, answering all the Theology possesses a derivative as weU 
ends of law and justice, besides other as individual character, and discloses its 
ends of love and mercy in their salvation, theological pedigree. Every system and 
The gracious effects of this substitutionary every doctrine has its genealogy by which 
obedience and death in the justification it can be traced in history, to its progen- 
or pardon of believers, is what he meant itor. If it be true, the line will lead up 
by the imputation of Christ's righteous- to the prophets and apostles, and to Jesus 
ness. This was through faith alone, be- as the head; if otherwise, to Sabellius, 
cause the meritorious ground of forgive- Arius, Pelagius, Socinus, or the father of 
ness is in what Christ does, and not in the gome other family of dull or dazzling 
&ith of the believer, or any thing that he originators. 

does. Yet justifying faith is not alone ; — The style of Dr. Woods was happily 

its vital working force is love, — the root adapted to the construction of such a sys- 

of all really good works. tem. It is rigidly Anglo-Saxon, and of 

The Atonement is a provision of salva- Doric simplicity. It b free from foreign 

lion, and as such is co-extensive in its words and idioms, and from startling cata- 

nifficiency, with human sin. Redemption i Woriu, Yoi. n. pp. 480-^. ~ 

YOL. I. 16 



122 



Leofmrd Woods. 



[Apbil, 



racts and chasmu. His precision in the 
definition of terms and the clearness of 
his statements, let his readers fairly into 
the subject before he comes to its treat- 
ment With a little dififuseness; he b yet 
80 transparent that they not only look 
into, but quite through it This crystal 
clearness of style has led certain super- 
ficial thinkers to regard him as a superficial 
writer, in comparison with others, whose 
turbid style rather entombs than lays 
open the subject Said one of the most 
learned Christian naturalists of our time, 
on laying down an article from his pen, 
**I love to read any thing that comes 
firom Dr. Woods, it is so much like 
quartz^ an illustration none the less just 
and beautiful, for being borrowed from 
its author*s favorite science. 

The habits and qualities of Dr. Woods' 
mind fitted him peculiarly for the great 
work to which he was called. His mental 
discipline was the result of patient, per- 
severing, and systematic efibrt, and his 
attainments were made, not by the eccen- 
tric sallies of genius, but by steadily press- 
ing his inquiries farther and farther into 
the domain of science. The structure of 
his mind, thus built up, was solid rather 
than showy, and its beauty was the result 
of the just balance of its powers, as its 
force was of the wise direction and unity 
of his efforts. 

He had a fondness for metaphysical 
studies; and qualifications, natural and 
acquired, for distinguished success in 
them. His clear perceptions and power 
of discrimination ; his ability to discover 
the causes and relations of things ; to meet 
and surmount difficulties ; to trace anal- 
ogies, weigh arguments and establish the 
value of lo^cal results, gave him peculiar 
advantages in mental and moral science. 
With about the same ease he could work 
in the mines, or the mint of truth, bring 
up pearls from the deep, or polish them 
for use. While he highly honored human 
reason, he held with Pascal that its last 
step dimly discloses the existence of in- 
nnmerable things, which transcend its 



powers, either of comprehension or of full 
discovery. He rejoiced in whatever re- 
search extended the boundaries of science ; 
but he also felt that many had made ship- 
wreck of faith by self-confident adventures 
on the sea of speculation, beyond the 
soundings of j^ason, and the chart and 
compass of Revelation. 

Everywhere cautious, he was especially 
so in settling first principles ; for, if these 
were false, he knew that they would 
necessitate wrong conclusions. Facts, 
among which he gave the highest place 
to those of Revelation, were the starting 
point in his philosophy. From these, by 
a careful induction, he came to general 
laws. From laws he was led to a law- 
giver, and from the law-giver to a univer- 
sal government 

These mental qualities were happily 
illustrated in Dr. Woods' methods of in- 
struction. He administered no stimulants 
but what the love of truth and the delight 
of increasing knowledge would furnish. 
He led his pupils, step by step, from what 
is simple and easy, to what is complex 
and difficult If they were inclined to 
rest on a false and dangerous principle, 
he employed the magnet of the Socratic 
method to draw them from it to a safe 
one. When they lost themselves in the 
labyrinths of metaphysical speculation, he 
would go in afler them, and patiently 
guide them out into some fruitful field of 
religious knowledge. The love and ven- 
eration with which he inspired his pupils 
is very warmly expressed by one, who, 
for nearly a quarter of a century, has 
been diflfusing the light of the gospel 
amidst the darkness and desolations of 
heathenism : 

'' I am not given to strong professions, 
in the line of paying homage to fellow 
mortals. But I can honestly say, that I 
think I never was in so much danger of 
something approaching idolatry, in regard 
to the character and teachings of any 
man, as in regard to Dr. Woods. To 
call him a model and a nuister^ as a theo- 
logical teacher, is but a very moderate 



1859.] 



Leonard Woods. 123 



compliment to one, who, in mj estima- His^liberty of choice was sacredlj pre- 

tion, had no compeers, and will not soon served from infringement bj that very 

be likelj to have them. influence which led him to choose what 

I was so eager to treasure up every he had before always refused. The firee- 

word of his lectures, when a student at dom of his moral agency was enlarged by 

Andover, that my notes of them were that power which supematurally changed 

almost ludicrously minute and voluminous, the character of the moral agent This 

And I distinctly recollect that, on once was certified to him by his consciousness, 

returning them to me, after he had been Could we follow him interiorly in the 

inspecting them, as he was then wont to constructive process, we should see the 

do the notes of all his pupils, he playfully great Builder showing him the patterns 

said to me ; * If my house takes fire, and of things as he did Moses in the Mount, 

I lose my lectures, I shall know where to teaching him experimentally the appe- 

look for them.' tencies and potencies and relations of 

I ever had a profound impression of his the parts, the key-stone and the comer- 
deep and earnest piety; his eminently stone, the pillars and the pilasters, the 
benevolent heart ; his honest, candid and lacings and the bracings, and all rising in 
most amiable character, and the wonder- symmetry and beauty from the deep and 
fbl clearness of his intellect." broad " foundation." 

Admirable as is Dr. Woods' system of It is thb experimental element in Dr. 
theology, when objectively viewed, in its Woods' theology which makes it so much 
natural order and logical harmony ; its a living system, and gives it growing har- 
adjustment to opposing errors; its com- mony with the human consciousness, as 
prehensiveness, unity and symmetry ; its that consciousness becomes more and more 
thorough Biblical character, and its truth- Christian. It finds, as Neander sa3rs of 
evincing transparency ; yet it is its sub- Augustine's theology, " a ready point of 
jective element that marks what is per- union in the whole life and experience of 
haps most peculiar. The portrayal of the Church, as expressed in its prayers 
those life-principles and forces; those and liturgical forms." It has already 
interior struggles and strivings after the been incorporated into nascent systems 
knowledge of the will of God; those of theology that are working out such 
aspirations of the human spirit, and eleva- benign results in the heart of heathen- 
tions of it through the divine, of which ism. The notes of Dr. Woods' lectures, 
this work was the out-birth, would disclose taken by the pioneer of American Mis- 
the simple but profound philosophy of a sionaries in Persia, had their place in the 
human spirit, working out forms of truth preparation of the lamented Stoddard's 
and beauty which the Holy Spirit works theological lectures for the students of the 
within it Could we take our point of Missionary Seminary at Oroomiah, even 
observation within the enclosures of his before the published works were sent to 
inner being, and mark the first move- the Mission. ** And thus," says Dr. Fer- 
ments of his mind God- ward, not from an kins, " the revered and beloved Andover 
emanative, regenerating ray of the uni- professor helped to train many a young 
versal divine substance, as the Pantheists Nestorian theologian." 
teach; not either from a mere, self-willing. This life-labor is a better biography oi 
human impulsion, as the Pelagians hold ; him than can be produced by any human 
but by the direct, personal agency of the pen. It is a more enduring monument 
Divine Spirit, we should see him solving than the sculptor*s chisel can shape, and 
the great problem of man's freedom and will stand when the marble has decayed. 
God's sovereignty, and thus coming to And though imperfections pertain to 
one fundamental principle of his theology, everything of human endeavor, yet, while 



12% American EccTmadical Demmmations. [^/b^'^ity 

he rests fhmi his labors, his works^will tions and will, into harmony wift vmr 
follow him through coming generations of heavenward tendencies, that a few dajs 
regenerate men. Their believing minds before his death,^ when, standing on 
will be fed by his clear words of truth, the confines of time, and looking on 
Their loving hearts will throb in quicker them in that light which beams from 
response to the Savior's call, for the fuller the eternal throne through the opening 
ingress into that mystery of divine love gates of glory, — " No change," he faintly 
unfolded in those words. exclaims, " no change," yet after a mo- 
Holding its cardinal principles from the menf s pause, — ' fanned by some guardian 
double testimony of his deepest conscious- angel's wing,' — " Yes," he says, " there is 
ness and the divine word, the hypothesis n change. Those truths appear to me 
of their fidsity, in his view, belied Grod, as more truthful, more weighty, more precious 
he has revealed himself in his word, and than ever." 

in the hearts of believers. This made his i After retiring from hi. PtofeiMnfaip of thirty, 

system a living organism — a growth from «igfat years, in 1846, Dr. woods was tngiged ftnr wsw- 

the vital forces, at the center of his being. «»^ y«»» *° preparing tat tho press his T hooiogiDa l 

43^ ^j.* 1 i.jt.' r- 'tx. * ai.* J* • Leotmes, and a portion of his mbeeHaBeom wiiUius, 

So entirely had his faith in this dinne ^h,^p^SZitoiw»«di8eo. a-u-TS 

truth subdued his whole intellect, affec- Andonr, Aug. M, 1861 



AMERICAN ECCLESIASTICAL DENOMINATIONS. 

COXPILBD BT BET. A. H. aUIKT. 

» « 

The only reliable and comprehensive statistics of American Denominations are 
found in the following meagre, but valuable table, obtained "by the census of 1850 :* 

i\.n«M»t«.fk».. No. of Aggregate Ac- "J^TliS? Total Value of »T^^ 

Denominations. churches. comi^ations. ^^- Church Property. SJjJ^. 

Baptist, 8,791 3,130,878 356 $10,931,382 $1,244 

Christian, 812 296,050 365 845,810 1,041 

Congregational 1,674 795,177 475 7,973,962 4,768 

Dutch Reformed, .... 324 181,986 561 4,096,730 12,644 

Episcopal 1,422 625,213 440 11,261,970 7,919 

Free, 361 108,605 300 252,255 698 

Friends, 714 282,823 396. 1,709,867 2,395 

^German Reformed,.. 327 156,932 479 965,880 2.953 

Jewish, 31 16,575 534 371,600 11,987 

^Lutheran 1,203 531,100 441 2,867,886 2,383 

Hennonite, 110 29,900 272 94,245 856 

Methodist, 12,467 4,209,333 337 14,636,671 1,174 

Moravian, 331 112,185 338 443,347 1,339 

Presbyterian, 4,584 2,040,316 445 14,369,889 3,135 

Roman Catholic, .... 1,112 620,950 558 8,973,838 8,069 

Swedenborgian, 15 5,070 338 108,100 7,206 

Tunker, 52 35,075 674 46,025 885 

Union, 619 218,552 345 690,065 1,114 

Unitarian, 248 137,367 565 3,268,122 13,449 

UniversaUst, 494 205,462 415 1,767,015 3,576 

MinorSecU, 325 115,347 354 741,980 2,283 

Total, 36,011 13,849,896 384 $86,416,639 $2,400 

*The QerxDaa Beibrmed and Lutheran denominattons ose the same building in many plaesa. 



1^ 



M^^tmi tleiMtaOiciA DeMmkaHm. 



m 



Hie l^iiBtutiiis of {be yariiyas denblni- 
nadons in the United States are not pre- 
sented in iQch a shape as to afford the 
possibility oTcoiTect aggregates. In fact, 
the reports of the Methodists are the only 
ones which are complete, and these only 
in the two branches whose peculiar polity 
enables them to enforce their rules re- 
garding the statistics of the few points 
winch they require. The tables which 
follow, are to be regarded as scattered 
fiKts which may be useful for occasional 
reference, — reserving for another number 
sach reports, omitted in this, as it will be 
possible to furnish. And in these, an 
implicit faith is by no means praiseworthy. 
Hie Statistics of no denomination are 
what they ought to be. The exposition 
of the character of our own, as presented 
in our last number, may be applied, with 
the requisite change of names, to every 
other, with perfect safety. If complete 
reports are presented, they are prudently 
limited to few items. If tables which shall 
comprehend all reasonable requests are 
appended, the blanks instantly appear. 
Bat here are the figures. 



The arrangement of the Classes of 
the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
CRXtBCH in disregard of State limits, ren- 
ders the Summary all that we need to 
copy. It is, for the last year, as follows : 

CUsses, 30 

Churches, 393 

Ministers, 389 

Cmndidates, 3 

Students, 42 

Number of families, 32 J42 

Total of the Congregations, 132,236 
Hceeiveu,^"- 

On Confession, 4,099 

On Certificate, 1,788 6,887 

Total of Communicants, 46,197 
Baptisms, — Infants, 3,472 

" * Adults, 847 4,319 

Catechumens, 14,959 

No. in Biblical Instruction, 8,834 

No. of Sabbath Schools, 661 

" " " Scholars, 23,269 
Contributions, — 

Benevolent purposes, $99,199 

Congregational « 272,986— ^|372,186 



The Statistics of the ttsTHODlsTB are 
published by the different bodies which 
possess the name, and seem fulL But 
the Conferences being made up with an 
entire disregard of State lines, it is useless 
to copy anything more than the totals. 

The summary of the Methodist Epis- 
COPAL Church (North,) a^r deduct- 
ing the churches in Liberia and Germar 
ny, is as follows : 

Conferences, 47 

TrsTelling Preachers,— 

Superannuated, 562 

Supernumerary, 239 

EffectiTe, 6,681 6,472 

Local Preachers, 7»603 

Church Edifices, 9,061i 

Numbers in Society,— 

Members, 766,004 

Probationers, 187,914 963,918 

Net increase, 136,617 

Deaths, 9,197 

Baptisms, — 

Adults, 40,916 

Infants, 37,368 68,288 

Of the Statistics of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, for the 
year past, we have been unable, after a 
faithful search in Boston and New York, 
to find a single copy. As the next best 
thing we present the figures of the pre- 
ceding issue, with the single remark that 
they are undoubtedly too low for the 
present facts : 

Conferences, 28 

Bishops, 6 

Travelling Preachers,— 
Superannuated, 163 

Effective, 2171 2,334 

Local Preachers, 4,660 

Members,— 

White Members, 399,382 
'< Probationers, 60,779—4^,161 
Colored Members, 146,634 
** Probationers, 26,43^—173,067 
Indian Members, 3,190 

*< Probationers, 296 3,486—636,714 

Total Ministers and Members, 643,714 

In our next issue, we propose to insert, 
if attainable, the last summary, — and also 
reports of the various smaller Methodist 
bodies. 



126 Ameriean JEeclewutical Denonmiaimi. [Araxi^ 

The Statistics of the ** Rxgulab " Baptists we oopj from the American Baptist 
Almanac, for 1859, as follows : 

AMOoift- OrdaiiMd B«ptiMd Tbtel 

StatM and Tenitorlet. tfom. Ohonbtt. Mlnlttan. Li«Mti«ltf. la 1867. ITvnbcr. 

AUbsma, .^ 27 709 862 68 8,917 82,696 

Arkannt, 16 266 117 6 971 8,704 

CaUfornia, 1 19 14 2 62 982 

Connectieut, 7 118 114 18 698 16,808 

Delaware, 2 8 •••• 6 879 

District of Columbia, 4 7 6 100 980 

Florida, 8 100 46 20 818 4,896 

Georgia, 37 906 688 168 6,016 72,160 

Ulinois, 34 602 418 64 2,482 81,448 

Indiana 47 606 290 44 2,182 29,766 

Indian Territory, 4 40 38 .... 801 4,060 

Iowa, 10 167 124 26 718 7,661 

Kentucky, ^44 897 896 40 6,118 78,972 

Louisiana 9 176 86 6 878 8,766 

Maine, 13 276 186 12 767 18,680 

Maryland, 1 82 24 7 699 3,884 

Massachusetts, 14 267 267 18 1,746 83,205 

Michigan 11 186 126 11 602 9,924 

MinnesoU, 2 31 28 2 60 818 

Mississippi 21 661 269 88 2,614 86,128 

Missouri, 32 609 369 49 2,897 87,076 

New Hampshire, 7 91 79 7 262 7,777 

New Jersey, 4 114 116 18 846 14,846 

New York 43 812 738 90 4,826 84,266 

North Carolina, 27 646 848 71 4,244 62,276 

Ohio, 29 474 314 39 1,928 27,889 

Oregon, 2 27 16 6 116 877 

PennsyWania, 16 369 269 66 2,093 83,763 

Rhode Island 2 60 66 7 290 7,682 

South CaroUna, 17 461 267 23 4,776 64,278 

Tennessee, 26 666 381 66 3,124 60,639 

Texas 16 321 161 18 1,463 12,822 

Vermont 7 106 89 8 267 7,481 

Virginia, 26 704 360 43 6,792 102,667 

Wisconsin 7 163 86 .... 421 6,379 

German and Dutch, 1 40 30 11 263 2,000 

Swedish, 18 7 •••• 130 400 

Welsh, 3 84 20 .... 240 1,800 

Toul in the United States, 666 11,600 7,141 1,026 63,606 923,198 

British ProTinces, 13 360 212 .... 1,700 29,200 

West India Islands 4 110 126 38 1,800 36,260 

Total in North America,.... 682 12,060 7,478 1,063 67,006 988,648 

The following Denominations, who practise immersion, are enumerated as follows : 

Anti-Mission Baptists, 166 1,720 826 ... 1,600 68,000 

Six-Principle Baptists, 18 16 ... .... * 3,000 

Seyenth-Day Baptists, 67 70 17 .... 7,260 

Church of God, 276 132 ... .... 13,800 

i,Disciples, 2,000 2,000 ... .... 360,000 

Tunkers, 160 200 ... .... 8,200 

Mennonitei, 300 260 ... .... 36,280 

1 u This wt rsgard as a rwy high wthnate, but the flgoras wsrs ths rssolt of la^iulry at out of the 
ssieftd anditUable BiinliUis of ths dsmwntnsttMi te wMsb tbsy P"^> »»<■ 



1869.] 



Jmmean Eeektiagtictti Dmonmatiottt. 



127 



The Fkbe Will Baptibth report, 
(according to the " Free Will Bapliit 
Be^Mer " for 1859,) w follows : 

Yntlr Hcctingi, f e^aiT&lnit to onr 

Ocncnl AMOciatioDi,) 39 

QnarterlT Hectiiig*, (eqnifilBnt to 

aai LomI Con/arencM,) 133 

ChoTchn, 1200 

Ordtined Pmtchen, 665 

LicwMcil " I6S 

CommuDJeaiiti, Gt,026 

Sliowiog a net increaee, in one jnr, of 
M chnrcbeo, Si orduned preschen, it 
licentiates, and 5,714 commnuicMita. 

'ile pRUBYTBRIAIf StttilticS, K) fu 

■■ the two nuun bodie* ue concerned, «re 
uamij obtained, — the Old School pabli- 
catioD being altogether the most raluable 
docmnent These report as f<^wB, — es- 
clnding from the New School branch the 
toai (oDt of ax seceding) Sjmods which 
are now organized independently. 
ConlrOtulionf : >"" Old 



Sfuada, 

PmbTterin, 

Hibiiten, 

UcmtiRtei, 

Ueeniurei, 

CandidatM, 

Ordinationi, 

Iiwtallationi, 

Ptitonl lelationi 

Hiuiitm rae'd from 
othar danam'DI. 

Hialaten dit'd to 
other denam'na, 



91,886.166 



BMrida and Ch. 

UiaccllaiieDuV '.'"..'..'. 

Qnieral Aiiembljr, MJSIM 
Domastic HtMuina, 8S.i39.22 

Fonitrn Hiitiont, SI.SSe.TO 

Education, fi5,6fil.87 

PobUeatioQ, G0,M2.a2 



9273.971.90 sa36,75e 



CburchM, 3,334 1,489 

ChuTchca OTganiied, 109 •••■ 

" diiaolTid, 46 

other denom'ni, 9 .... 

Added on eiam'n, 30,792 9,138 

" on eeitiflcata, 10,Sfi8 fi.Sll 

CommunicanU, 3fi9,33fi 130.691 

Adulli tupliied, fi,170 3,81fi 

Infanta " 13,934 3,788 

In additioD to the two General AMem- 
bliea we God the following distinct bodies 
of Freabfterians, with nnmbers as follows, 
which we compile from a very valuable 
work entitled " The Presbyterian Histor- 
ical Almanac," for 18S9 : 





{ 




i 


I 


I 


^ 


i= 


Ij 


h 
IS 


it 
'1 




4 


1^ 












































































'••"SA^.. ' 


IB 




M 


B 






IM 










an 


b,m 


n 


<a 












































































fafonDtd Prw Sjood, 




























61 Mi t 




1 1 



lOalUdl 

The returns are » defective as not to 
be worth adding up ; thui of the 89 Pres- 
byteries of the Cumberland body, 81 
■ttke no report; of the 118 churchesof 
Iha United Synod, 63 make no report; 
iriula the lower lines of the above table 



Tlie Statinicsof the Pbotbbtant Epib- 
ootAL CxDftOH we take from the Chunh 



id PmlvuiUD Chocch g( North Amnio*." 

Almanac for 18^9, which coutuns a laige 
amount of facts. It says i " The paro- 
chial statistics are necessarily imperfect, 
inasmuch aa in all the dioceses except 
four, a number of Parishes (in all abont 
300) have made no reporta. Hany of 
tbe reports, too, are very imperfect. The 
actual Btatiftica are, therefore gi«ater dian 
Ihoae hen giTan." 



128 



Ammean Eet^eamiieal Demm^M^ota. [ An^ 



ai 


pnquinoo ; 




sssssssissassssssssssasas 

3SSS33S"5S22a"S"'*2S2S2SS-'"'-'" 


1 


■■Jilonjg - 


ss|||p|||||i|ii|giiPiiiSsiSaS 


1 


■tI*llM3X ? 


sssS|sppii-gis|ssi|s3s5Sgsass 


■»l»iJnH I 


'SSai|gSpiSgSIISSSiH|3i=B|sssa 


•M8.iu.K ^ 


-SSSS2|2Sas||gSgE;SSS^2S5S3Sg5Sgg 


■h 


WiW^ ' 


SsiiiiiPiiiiiiiiiiiiPiiPiSS 


i' 


■psppv ; 


"mm mi'iUHM^iiS'i^nm's s 


■psmignoo % 


S-sESaiPiapiSSSSSSEislsSSSsSsSs 


, 


■fwi, q 


S3sS|||3P|Sipi=gipSISBill85S 


-MinpV ? 


5g|2gg5gS53SS|gSSE;?ffggSS5SSS5 S 




■tmnjui i 




iiSpiSasisss3SSg-S g 




SSpllllgE 


-uo 


pai.iaag = 




„, 


■UJP40 


=— -ssass— -s— =»"— »»==.»—•.« 


if 


■siaaiJJ '^ 


o = ™-»s»» — „.»K=. — = = — -. , = = — 


li 


■st.03.sa - 


-on«oi3t-i-mr.<DiD«-nrH-m-»M-no*-i ms=- 


■HqtUTd - 




■MJ310 ^ 


ssra8gsgaE«s55sasaaB!sss~aaa28s="-"- 




s 




1 


mii: 


iinlllilllHll 

fliiil 



We take the totals of the BboTe from -Cjndidi 
the Mine aoarce, although, io some in- 
Btances. they do uot correspoml with the 
TeBults of ooT addition. 



ChuTchea Conisciattd, . . 



Dioc 



Prieiti ind Deacon 1.979 Mi 

Whole nurobar of ClergT 2,016 BuriiU. 

Fariahei ' ~" =— .--- 

Ordination*— Daaeona, 

" Prirat*, 6B Co&bctbutlDna,. 



Adult* 6,007 

Not alated 661 

Total, S2.23* 

Conflnnation* lT,fiU 

31 Communicanta— added,.. 



PrMcnt number 127,9S3 

6,77* 

W.48I 

Bundav School Teaeheia, 13,M3 

Sdholu* 109,561 

tuauCwH 



18&9.] 



Did the PUgrims wrong the Indiana t 



129 



DID THE PILGRIMS WRONG THE INDIANS ? 



BT REV. 7. t. CLASS, D.D. 



Oliver Goldsmith has shown how 
well he understood human nature, by re- 
presenting the Vicar of Wakefield as get- 
ting out of humor with his own horse, 
while listening to the disparaging remarks 
made upon him by a set of sharpers, 
whom he, all the while, knew to be un- 
worthy of credit. After hearing one pro- 
nounce him " blind," and another, *' spa- 
vined," and another, »* wind-galled," as 
they successively examined his points, and 
all agreeing that he was only fit to be cut 
up for a dog-kennel, **I began," says he/ 
** to have a most hearty contempt for the 
poor animal myself, and was almost 
ashamed at the approach of every cus- 
tomer ; for though I did not believe all 
the fellows told me, yet I reflected that 
the number of witnesses was a strong 
presumption that they were right." 

On the same principle, and on no other, 
can we account for the opinion, so exten- 
sively prevalent, even among such as 
wish to think well of our Pilgrim Fathers, 
that somehow or other they wronged the 
poor Indians ; humane and upn'ght to the 
minutest punctilio of Puritanism in all 
their other relations, here they were 
strangely unkind and even cruel ; here 
they allowed themselves to cheat and de- 
fraud and steal. So often and so boldly 
have these imputations been cast upon 
them by a succession of writers and speak- 
ers, beginning with Thomas Lechford, 
and coming down to Peter Oliver, that 
one who has never investigated the sub- 
ject, though he may '• not believe all the 
fellows told" him, will very naturally con- 
clude that there must be some fire where 
there is so much smoke— some grains of 
truth in the agreeing testimony of so 
many witnesses. Let us find out, if we 
can, what the real facin are. 

And, to begin at the beginning, it is an 

VOL. I. 17 



unquestionable fact that the first settlen 
of New England left; home with the kind- 
est possible feelings towards the natives 
of these shores ; if we may credit their own 
testimony. The Mayflower company, 
while yet in Holland, announced **the 
propagating and advancement of the gos- 
pel of the kingdom of Christ in these re- 
mote parti of the world," as one of the 
chief reasons for their removal. [Brad- 
ford, p. 25.] The Massachusetts Compa- 
ny recognized in their charter the fact, 
that to **win and incite the natives to 
the knowledge and^ obedience of the 
only true God and Saviour of mankind,** 
was " the principal end of this plantation," 
and "the adventurers* free profession." 
[Mass. Col. Rec. i. 17.] Such a profes- 
sion was even engraved on the Company's 
seal, in the figure of an Indian, with the 
words, " Come over and help us," 
proceeding from his mouth. But as if 
thi^-j mute remembrancer, pictured on ev- 
ery business letter and document of the 
corporation, were not sufiScient to keep 
the thing in mind. Governor Cradock, 
before the charter was brought over by 
AVinthrop, repeatedly addressed to the 
settlers, already here, such words as these : 
** We trust you will not be unmindful of 
the main end of our plantation, by en- 
deavoring to bring the Indians to the 
knowledge of the gospel ; which, that it 
may be the speedier and better efi'ected, 
the earnest desire of our whole Company 
is, that you [Endicott] have a diligent 
and watchful eye over our people ; thai 
they live unblamable and without reproof, 
and demean themselves justly and cour- 
teously towards the Indians, thereby to ' 
draw them to affect our persons, and con- 
sequently our religion. Also endeavor to 
get some of their children to train up to 
reading, and consequently to religion, 



180 



the PUgrim wrtmg the IndkM ? 



[Araiiy 



whilst thej are yonng. To youDg or old 
omit no good opportunity that may tend 
to bring them out of the woeful condition 
they are in; in which case our prede- 
cessors in this land sometime were ; and 
but for the mercy and goodness of our 
good God, might have continued to this 
day. But God, who, out of the boundless 
ocean of his mercy, hath shewed pity and 
compassion to our land, he is all-sufficient, 
and can bring this to pass which we now 
desire in that country likewise ; only let 
US not be wanting on our parts, now we 
are called to the work of the Lord, neither 
haying put our hand to the plow, let us 
look back." ** Above all we pray you be 
careful that there be none in our pre- 
cincts permitted to do any injury (in the 
least kind) to the heathen people ; and it 
any offend in that ,way, let him receive 
due correction." " If any of the savages 
pretend right of inheritance to all or any 
part of the lands granted in our patent, 
we pray you endeavor to purchase their 
title, that we may avoid the least scruple 
of intrusion." [Mass. Col. Rec. i. 384, 95.] 
These few extracts show, beyond a 
doubt, what were their original intentions. 
But did they carry them into effect ? Did 
the Plymouth Pilgrims ever do on this 
side the water, what they said on the 
other? Did the settlers of Salem and 
Boston follow the good advice so feelingly 
given by their friends at home? Did 
these same advisers, when they became 
colonists, as many of them did, bring into 
practice their own preaching? Such 
questions as these have oflen been put 
with a tone and a leer, intended to signify 
an emphatic answer in the negative. It 
has even been pretended that, instead of 
befriending the poor Indian, the first thing 
they did to him was an act of robbery 1 
[See Baylies* Hist Mem. of New Plym., 
pt. i. p. 64.] It will be recollected that 
while the Mayflower lay at anchor in 
Cape Cod harbor, an exploring party 
ibund four or five bushels of com buried 
in the sand, but could not find the owners. 
Bttng in great want of just that article, 



they filled their pockets, and an old iron 
kettle — a waif from some shipwrecked 
vessel, which the natives had picked up— 
and returned on board, intending to pay 
the owners its full value, whenever they 
could be found; which was accordingly 
done about six months after. **And 
here," says the devout Bradford, who was 
one of the exploring party, ** is to be no- 
ticed a special providence of God, and a 
great mercy to this poor people, that here 
they got seed to plant them com the next 
year, or else they might have starved, for 
they had none, nor any likelyhood to gel 
any till the season had been past (as the 
sequel did manifest). But the Lord is 
never wanting unto his in their greatest 
needs; let his holy name have all the 
praise." [Bradf. Hist p. 83.] But not- 
withstanding the purity of their motives, 
and their pious recognition of God*s gra- 
cious hand in the whole proceeding ; not- 
withstanding their per^stent and success- 
ful efforts to find out the owners, and an 
actual settlement with them **to their 
good content," still the assertion that it 
was a thefl is reiterated and apparently 
believed. It is not strange that a flippant 
debater or lyceum lecturer, ambitious to 
get off smart sayings, should utter this 
conceit But that a writer of (ordinarily) 
so much candor and good judgment as 
Francis Baylies should represent the Pil- 
grims as " inexcusable " in this matter, 
and " compromising their consciences," is 
truly amazing.^ Are we not bound to 

1 " Had the rompany been perishing with hanfer, 
this appropriation of the property of others migbl 
hare been Justified. As it was it was inexeosable; 
the com was not a waif: erery necessary precaation 
had been taken by the sarage owners to secure it. 
TbA excuse which tome of their fanatical brvthran 
would hare made, ' that the Lord had gircn the 
heathen for an inheritance and spoil,' was wanting to 
them, for they compromised with their eonacienoM 
by resolTing upon the spot that they would mak* 
compensation to the owners wheneTer they should 
discoTer them ; and fortunately for their moral rep- 
utation, six months afterwards they carried tliat 
resolution into effect, and fully satisfied the owners.') 

This is Mr. Baylies' comment entire ; and its ud- 
fiiirness is equalled only by the statement of the suim 
respected author, In another connection, that '* Mist 
Poole,"— the guiding soul of the Taunton seltlers,^ 
<* was the first of th« Engliah who praotleaUy ad* 



lU^] 



Did the PUgrvm wrong the In/HaMf 



131 



faelieTe that thej did nothing yery heir 
aooa, when sach a transaction as this is 
put forth as a specimen of their wrong 
doing? Feacefol indeed must be the 
conscience that was never ** compromised" 
in a worse manner. 

But let us proceed in our search after 
the &cts. What staggered the Vicar of 
Wake6eld most, was that fatal agreement 
of the horse-jockeys. They all gave j udg- 
ment the same way. Nobody had a kind 
or counteracting word wherewith to break 
the fi>rce of so much adverse testimoay, or 
even to breed a doubt But in the case 
before us it is far otherwise ; there is a 
remarkable discrepancy, amounting to a 
direct contradiction. Nobody need feel 
obliged to believe that our Puritan fathers 
abused the Indians, merely because some- 
body has said so ; for somebody else has 
laid exactly the contrary. The assertion 
so often and so positively made, that they 
got their lands from the natives by decep- 
tive treaties and fraudulent trades — which 
even Hutchinson seems willing to believe 
[Hist Mass. i. 252.] — is quite as positively 
denied by those who have equal means of 
information, and who, to say the least, 
eojoy as fair a reputation for candor and 
good judgment Dr. Dwight [see his 
Travels, i. 167,] assures us that " the an- 
nals of the world cannot furnish a single 
instance, in which a nation, or any other 
body politic, has treated its allies, or its 
•objectB, either with more justice or more 
humanity, than the New England colo- 
nists treated this people. Exclusive of 
the country of the Pequots, the inhabi- 
tants of Connecticut bought, unless I am 
deceived, every inch of ground contained 
within that colony, of its native proprietors. 
The people of Rhode Island, Plymouth, 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, pro- 
ceeded wholly in the same equitable man- 
ner. Until Philip's war, in 1675, not a 
angle foot of ground in New England 
was claimed or pccupied by the colonists 

Bitted tb« torn of that moral obUgation irhieh i»- 
quirM the eonsent of the owner before property can 
be taken from hie poeseiik>D and appropriated to the 
vecf ABOlhar." 



on any other score but that of fiur pnr* 
chase." This is very strong rebutting 
testimony, and is repeated, in substancOi 
by Bancroft, Barry and Palfrey. Mr. 
Bancroft's words are: **The inhabitanta 
of New England had never, except in l^e 
territory of the Pequots, taken possession 
of a foot of land, without first obtaining a 
title from the Indians." [iL 98.] Mr. 
Barry says : *^ They had no disposition to 
injure the natives, or to treat them with 
harshness. They purchased of them the 
lands they occupied, and never, save in 
one instance— during the Pequot war — 
forcibly possessed themselves of a single 
foot of ground." [i. 405.] Alluding to 
symptoms of hostility just before the plot 
of the Pequots was disclosed, Mr. Palfrey 
remarks : *' The Indians had had no pro* 
vocation. Not a foot of land previously 
in their occupation had been appropriated 
by the Colonists, except by purchase";— 
to which he then adds the more compre- 
hensive observation, that "through the 
whole period of the colonial history, the 
legislation respecting the natives waa 
eminently just and humane." [i. 362, 8.] 
These agreeing views have the more 
weight, as being derived, apparently^ 
from different and independent sources 
of information. 

As to the two exceptional cases here 
brought to notice — the lands belonging 
to the Pequots and King Philip — they are 
both of them cases where, if ever, the 
right of possession was fairly acquired by 
conquest The Pequots not only com- 
menced hostilities by an unprovoked mur* 
der, but while peaceful negociations for 
redress were pending, they added twenty- 
nine more victims, slaughtered one by 
one, or in family groups, before the colo- 
nists resorted to actual war. It was a 
fight for existence. Such was the posture 
of afi*airs — made such by the artful Sas- 
sicus — that the extinction of either the 
Puritans or the Pequots had become a 
necessity. The same was true in the war 
with Philip of Mount Hope. A conspiracy, 
extending along the entire frontier of 



id2 



Did the PUgrims wrong the Indiamf 



[Afbil^ 



New England, from Long Island Sound 
to Canada, plotted by the most daring 
and sagacious warrior of his time, and 
whose single aim it was to exterminate 
the whites — such a conspiracy, if success- 
fblly resisted and crushed, might well en- 
title the victors to the deserted lands of 
the vanquished, especially when that vic- 
tory had cost one eleventh of all their 
men, and more than that proportion of 
their dwellings, — as some have computed 
the results. 

Lest it be thought that these opinions 
of New England men concerning; the 
conduct of New England's founders, 
are given under a self-favoriog bias, 
we will go out of the country, and off 
from the continent, for a witness or 
two. Yattel, in his Law of Nations, [B. 
i. ch. 18,] setting forth the propriety of 
** restricting savages within the narrowest 
limits," says : " We cannot, however, fail 
to applaud the moderation of the English 
Puritans, who first established themselves 
in New England, and who, though fur- 
nished with a charter from their sov- 
ereign, bought from the savages the land 
which they wished to occupy." This, 
from a Frenchman, whose sense of pro- 
priety would have been in no wise 
shocked by recording exactly the oppo- 
nte, has more than the force of an opin- 
ion ; he must have been very sure of the 
fact on which that opinion was founded. 
In a book entitled ** The New England 
Theocracy," lately translated from the 
German of H. F. Uhden, a particular 
friend and favorite pupil of Dr. Neander, 
and whose stand-point is entirely diflferent 
from either of the foregoing witnesses, we 
have the following observations. Refer- 
ring to the treaty made with Massasoit in 
the spring ot 1621, and its effect in secur- 
ing quiet for more than half a centur}% — 
•• these friendly relations," says he, " were 
maintained by strict attention to justice 
in dealing with the Indians. I'he land 
needed for the settlement was purchased 
of them ; a court of justice was established 
for protecting them against fraads by pri- 



vate persons, and in all their relations 
with them the English were subjected to 
the full rigor of the law." 

The truth of this last remark finds 
ample and amusing illustrations in the 
colonial records. Take these as speci- 
mens. ** November 7, 1 682. It is agreed 
that Sir Richard Saltonstall shall give 
Safl^amore John a ho<rshead of com for 
the hurt his cattle did him in his com." 
[Mass. Col. Rec. i. 102.] Here we have 
a Baronet fined for letting his cattle hurt 
an Indian's cornfield ; and that, in all 
after times, there might be no mistaking 
the nature of the transaction, ^* Sr Ri: 
Salt, amerst" is placed in the maigin 
against the Court record, with admirable 
simplicity. *'Juned, 1634, Mr. Thomas 
Mayhew is entreated by the Court to ex- 
amine what hurt the swine of Charlestown 
hath done amongst the Indian bams of 
corn, on the North of Mystic, and accord- 
ingly the inhabitants of Charlestown prom- 
ise to give them satisfaction." [Ibid. L 
121.] " October 28, 1645, Thomas Hay- 
ward of Duxbury, is ordered by the Court 
to pay unto Wannapokp, a Neipnet In- 
dian, half a bushel of Indian com for 
venison he took of him." [Plym. Col. 
Rec. ii. 89.] " May 13, 1640. It is or- 
dered, that in all places the English shall 
keep their cattle from destroying the In- 
dians' corn in any ground where they 
have right to plant ; and if any com be 
destroyed for want of fencing or herding, 
the town shall be liable to make satisfac- 
tion, and the towns shall have power 
among themselves to lay the chaise where 
the occasion of the damage grew ; and 
the Indians are to be encouraged to help 
towards fencing in their cornfields." 
[Mass. Col. Rec. i. 293-4.] Here, it will 
be observed, the Indian fares better than 
the white man ; for the law protects his 
cornfield, whether he fences it in or not — 
though, to be sure, he is " encouraged ** 
to help his white neighbors fence it for 
him. Repeated instances are found, in 
these early Court records, of legal penal- 
tics lightened merely because the trans- 



1859.] 



the PSgrima wrong the Indians f 



1^3 



grei^or is an Indian — ^where the legislation 
of our fathers, like that of the Great Law- 
giyer, is less exacting, in proportion to 
the little knowledge of those for whom it 
is designed. But there is no recorded 
instance of a white man escaping punish- 
ment for a wrong done to an Indian, 
which would be a punishable offence if 
done to anybody else. On the contrary, 
punishment seems to have been meted 
out with all the more fulness and force, 
when the injured party was a heathen — 
fiir the reason, perhaps, that it was a part 
of the Colonists' professed errand here to 
convert him. The second instance of 
capital punishment in the Plymouth pa- 
tent, was the execution of three whites — 
Arthur Peach, Thomas Jackson, and 
Richard Stennings — for the murder of 
one Indian. [Plym. Col. Rec. i. 96-7] ; 
while in the Massachusetts patent, *' Octo- 
ber 3, 1632, Nicholas Frost, for theft com- 
mitted by him at Damareirs Cove, upon 
Indians," and other improprieties, was 
whipped, and branded with a hot iron, 
and afterwards banished. [Mass. CoL 
Rec. L 100; compare 121, 183.] 

These Court orders are facts, (not opin- 
ions) and though exceedingly dry in 
diemselves, are refreshing to such as have 
been feeding on mere conjectures; and 
will afford just the support suited to minds 
accustomed to underpin their conclusions 
with reliable data. Here, too, those who 
doubt it may verify the assertion of Dr. 
Dwight, and others, respecting the pay- 
ment of the Indians ibr their lands. 
Scarcely anything is oftener or more ex- 
actly noticed. Even the prices are re- 
corded, which, though remarkably low, 
as compared with what the same acres 
would fetch now, were entirely satisfac- 
tory to the owners then.^ It argues a 

1 A ppcclmen of rurh Bale is here Insvrted, in th« 
4Md givvB to the agvnts employed by the tovrn of 
Dazbary to purcbasa the tract on which the foar 
Bridj{eiraters luiTe uprung up. '* Ousanieqain " was 
toother name fur Massasoit^ the old liinK of the 
eouDiry in whieb the Piymouth colony waa located, 
and with whom that celebinted fint treaty wm made 
in 1621. 

'*Wltnc« thcM pxttentf, tluU I, Ooiamtquin, 



great want, either of candor or ccmimon 
sense, to blame the white settlers, as they 
have been sometimes blamed, because the 
natives valued a jack-knife higher than a 
farm, and would sell a township for thirty 
or forty shillings' worth of Yankee no- 
tions, as they might now be called. In 
his untutored state, who shall say that the 
Indian did not get an equivalent, as really 
as the Englishman ? He certainly thought 
he did, or he would not have traded. So 
faint must have been the feeling of indi- 
vidual ownership in the soil over which 
he hunted his game, that whatever the 
white man gave him for it, he probably 

Sachem of the oountry of Poconoket, hare given, 
granted, enfeoffed and sold unto Miles 8tandi»h of 
Daxbary, Samnel Naah and Conatant Soathwortb, of 
Duxbary aforesaid, la behalf of all the townsmen of 
Doxbary aforeraid, a tract of Und osnally called 
Batucket, extending in length and breadth as foUow- 
•th : [here the boundaries are Inserted, and the tract, 
" with all the Immunities, priTilegesand profits what- 
soever, belonging to the said tract of land,** Is 
pasrad over '* to them and their heirs forever."] 

" In wicnem whereof, I the said Oosameqain, hava 
hereunto set my hand this 23d day of March, 1649. 
Witness the mark X of OuBAMKQUUf .^* 

" In consideration of the afbreraid bargain and 
sale, we the said Miles Standlsh, Samuel Nush, and 
Constant Sonthworth, do bind onrselyes to pay unto 
the said Ousamequin for, and in ronrideration of, 
the said trart of land, as foUuweth :— 7 coats, a yard 
and a half in a coat ; 9 hatchets ; 8 hors ; 20 knives ; 
4 moose skins ; 10 yards and a half of cotton. 

Miles Stakdisb. 

Samuel Nasb. 

Co^8TA^T Soctbwoetb." 

Springfield, on both sides of the river, was bought 
for *' 18 fathom of wampum, IS coats, 18 hatchets, 
18 hoex, 18 knives," besides '* 2 coats over and above 
the said particulars ezprefsed," for the chief, Wra- 
thema. The trsct on which Northampton, South- 
ampton, Easthampton, Westhantpton, and a part of 
Hatfield are located, known originally by the name 
of Nonoturk, cost the first purchasers 100 fathom 
wsmpum, (strings of beads made of shells, and netd 
by the Indians as money,) 10 coats, some suiali gifts, 
and " ploughing up 16 attres of land on the East tUl» 
of Quonnecticut river the enruiog f umuier." 

'^ The price paid fur the valuable lands on the Con- 
necticut wss email, or rather, seems smsll to the 
present occupants; but, when it is remembered that 
they were made valuable to the settlers only by pa- 
tient cultivation, and that, with all the labor ex- 
pended in cultivation and defence, the owners were 
extremely poor for many years, the price paid will 
appear to haye been sufficiently large."— (Uolland^ 
Hist. Watt. Mali. toL L p. 40.] 



iu 



JHdtte P^grim vnmg ike JMum^f 



pama^ 



v^^^ardedy not in the light of a qvdd pro 
quo J but as so much superadded to what 
he was worth before. And when, bj 
treaty stipulations, a whole tribe submit- 
ted to English rule — which has also been 
set down to the score of Puritan oppres- 
sion — that submitting tribe thought them- 
selves more than remunerated, as thej 
really were, by the pledge of protection 
0x>m other hostile tribes, which was given 
in return. Be it so, as Hutchinson affirms 
[L 252] that " they had no precise idea" 
of those treaty stipulations, whereby they 
became " subjects to King James ;" they 
could, and did understand, that King 
James was thereby solemnly bound to 
protect them against the Narragansetts, 
or whatever hostile tribe they respectively 
stood in fear of; and this was as much as 
they cared to know. 

The honesty and uprightness with 
which these leagues of friendship, and 
purchases of land were negotiated by the 
first settlers of New England, can be fully 
exhibited only by reciting the terms of 
each, as spread over documents quite too 
voluminous to be epitomized even, in the 
brief remidnder of this article. Those 
documents, which may be found in Drake's 
Book of the Indians, and scattered through 
twelve quarto volumes of colonial records, 
are commended to the perusal of such as 
cannot be otherwise persuaded that we 
have come honestly by our goodly heri- 
tage. To such a task — more instructive 
than entertaining — would we especially 
•commend all such as are resting in the 
conclusion which the author of ** The 
Field Book of the Revolution" has 
reached, and which, with almost oracular 
assurance, he thus announces to the 
world : ** Righteousness, sitting upon the 
throne of judgment, has long since de- 
cided the question of equity ; and in view- 
ing the scene at a distance, we cannot fail 
to discover the true verdict against the 
avaricious white man." [i. 664.] 

In connection with diese Court records 
and treaty documents, many historical 
facts, like the fi>llowing, from Winthrop's 



Journal, might be pro^ki^: ** 
ber 5, 1638, John Sagamore died of the 
small pox, and almost all his people 
(above thirty buried by Mr. Maveriek, of 
Winninmit, in one day). The towna in 
the Bay took away many of &e children, 
but most of them died soon after. James 
Sagamore of Saugus died also, and most 
of his folks. John Sagamore denied to 
be brought among the English, (so he 
was) and promised (if he recovered) to 
live with the English and serve thor 
God. He left one son, which he disposed 
of to Mr. Wilson, the pastor ol Boston, to 
be brought up by him. It wrought much 
with them, that when their oum peojdejor^ 
sook them, yet the EnglM came daily and 
ministered to them.*' [i. pp. 142-3.] These 
incidental allusions to daily life scenes, of 
which the historical memorials of those 
times are full, do not look as though the 
colonists were watching thor opportonity 
to wrong the natives. On the contrary, 
they spoil the credit of any such mmor. 
Men will aim at consistency even in mia- 
chief; but these legislative proceedings, 
and historical averments, and authentic 
legends, are totally inconsistent with the 
idea that the treatment which the Indians 
received from the first settlers of New 
England was in any sense unjust, or even 
unkind. It is not pretended that there 
were no instances of wrong on the part of 
individuals. We have found such; but 
we have also found a public sentiment 
that would detect and punish them. It is 
not pretended that the colonial govern- 
ments never erred in their judgment of 
what was right ; for even Puritan magis- 
trates were not perfect, and did not claim 
to be. But that they intended to be 
strictly just in all their dealings with the 
Indians, and that the general course of 
their policy was characterized by this 
spirit, there is no hazard in asserting. 
The right of the Indians to the soil was 
everywhere admitted, notwithstanding the 
patents and charters conferred by the 
King of England; and that right was 
always respected, till supposed to be fiir- 



lBSi9i\ : JSuHOnrdiff ike Cherehea and Mmkr». 



m 



Mbd hy mtfrntck^ hostilities. Any 
one who thinks he can prove the con- 
trary, is challenged to do it 

The reader maybe sorprised to find 
tUs artieie drawing to a close without a 
more formal notice of those early mission- 
ary labors, which famish such strong 
presomptiTe evidence against the charge 
we have been examining. It was oar in- 
tentioa when we b^an, to have made 
eqMcial use of this argument, before lay- 
ii^ down oor pen. Bnt really it is not 
needed. The &ct that the first attempts 
in modem times to evangelize the hea- 
tiien, were made by the Pilgrims on these 
natives of New England; that the first 
misaionary organization in Protestant 
Christendom — ^the *' Society for Propa- 
gating the Gospel among the Indians in 
North America" — was formed solely to 
aid these attempts ; that previously to the 
breaking out of Philip's war, these mis- 
sionary labors had resulted in the transla- 
tion of the entire 'Bible into the Indian 
tongue; the gathering of six Indian 
churches out of thirty-six villages of 
** praying Indians," and the actual em- 
ployment of nearly fifly teachers and 
calechistB, English and Indian, in the re- 
ligious and educational training of those 
children of the forest, at an annual ex- 
penditure of between seven and eight 
hnndred pounds sterling, — these authen- 
tic and world-known facts might indeed 
be set in triumphant array against 
the rumors of wrong and outrage in- 
flicted on these poor heathen by the very 
men who were so laboriously and success- 
fully employed in converting them. But 
there is no occasion for it Those who 



ate capable of convidaon by sach eonaid-* 
erations, will be convinced without them. 
There are at least two sorts of people to 
whom the world owe most of their miscon- 
ceptions in this matter ; and it so happens 
that they are persons with whom histori- 
cal facts have little or no weight. One is 
the sentimentalist, whose interest in ** the 
children of the forest," and their " feather- 
cinctured chief," is merely a poetic fancy, 
or fervor, which cannot endure the idea 
of turning an Indian hunting-ground into 
a cornfield, a stone mortar and pestle 
into a grist-mill, and a birch-bark canoe 
into a steamboat Another is the ultra 
philanthropist, whose humanity is of a 
teJtture to be less shocked at seeing a 
neighbor murdered, than at seeing the 
murderer hung ; and who must, therefore, 
from principle and conscience and con- 
sistency, condemn the man — especially the 
Christian man — who shoots down a sav- 
age, when he might avoid the necessity by 
permitting himself to be tomahawked first 
Historical facts, whatever their bearing, 
can have no influence on either of these 
classes, so long as it still remains an ad- 
mitted fact that the white man has actually 
supplanted the red. Persons of every 
other faith and feeling, it is hoped, may 
find in the foregoing data the ground of 
an acquittal of our fathers from the charge 
of injustice in their treatment of the abo- 
riginal tribes, at least during the first 
two generations. The whole subject of 
their labors for the conversion of the In- 
dians, constituting one of the most inter- 
esting chapters in our religious history, is 
reserved for a future number of the 
Quarterly, 



THE NUMBERING OF THE CHURCHES AND OF THEIR MEMBERS. 



BT REV. ALONZO H. QUIKT. 



We use the expression appearing at off many an excellent, though nervous, 

the head of this article, instead of the ap- reader, whose attention we greatly desire 

propriate term, simply because the mere to secure. When the excellent Oberlin, 

appearance of the latter would frighten in his mission of goodness to a benighted 



136 



NtmAerwg the Churches and Mmben. 



[Afbii^ 



Tillage, wbere the indiyidaal then school- 
master, had been appointed to his position 
upon becoming too old and infirm longer 
to take care of the village bo)r8, while he 
mnst somehow be provided for, attempted 
to procure the services of young and active 
men for that position, he met a scornful 
refusal ; no one would bear the disgrace- 
ful name of schoolmaater. But when he 
said, *^You are right; and respectable 
persons ought not to be schoolmasters; 
you shall be school superintendents^* — ^by 
this notable device he perfectly succeeded. 
Now if our apprehensive readers will for- 
get the odious term which we intend to 
shun, and adopt Webster's definition of 
it, i. e., ** A collection of facts respecting 
the state of society, the condition of the 
people in a nation or country, their 
health, longevity, domestic economy, arts, 
property and political strength," (using 
the parts of this definition in a spiritual 
sense, of course) they will see the exceeding 
value of certain pursuits; statistics (we 
beg pardon, the word slipped out by acci- 
dent), will cease to be identical with the 
palsy, or the Great Desert, or the night- 
mare ; and facts will appear to be some- 
thing which well informed people ought, 
really, to know. We respectfully sub- 
mit, therefore, that in this article, (which 
is intended to suggest their desirable fea- 
tures and the methods of securing them,) 
we refer, not to statistics, but to **A collec- 
tion of facts respecting the state of society, 
&c., &c." The annual ** collection " of 
these facts is now, or is soon to be, in pro- 
gress in the various churches of our de- 
nomination, and we wish to assist the 
various laborious Secretaries in raising 
our reports up to the level of respecta- 
bility. 

The fact ought to be made public, that 
it is neither disgraceful nor hurtful for a 
pastor to pay some slight attention to the 
facts pertaining to his Church, once a 
year. There is a common idea, but very 
erroneous, that it will hurt one's bodily ap- 
pearance to have anything to do with 
figures. When the brethren were col- 



lecting, one day last Summer, in tiie 

old Church at , to organise the 

annual session of the General Associa- 
tion of , one of the delegates 

inquired of the minister of the place 
if he knew Bra So and So, the Statieti- 
cal Secretary. The minister told him 
that he did. ^ Will you point him out to 
me when he comes in ? " ** Certainly^." 
By and by, he did so. '' What, Ikat man V 
** Yes." ** Is U^ the one who collects the 
statistics?" "Yes." "Are you miref 
Do you know him ?" " Certainly — he is 
my near neighbor. Why do yon have 
any doubt on the matter ?" •* Why," said 
the disappointed and hardly convinced 
brother, " I supposed he was some dry, 
withered up, old fellow ;" while near six 
feet perpendicular, breadth in proportion, 
and with a sufliciency of the adipose^ com- 
pletely confounded him. We beg our 
brethren to have no apprehensions. It 
will not hurt their bodily condition in the 
least Nor will it interfere with their dig- 
nity to know how many persons belong to 
their Church, or how many have cove- 
nanted to serve the Lord in any given 
year. Very respectable people have in- 
dulged in such matters; we are informed, 
on good authority, of the exact number 
who went into the ark, and of the num- 
ber of the tribes, and of the chosen peo- 
ple, and their condition at various other 
times ; we are even told how many apos- 
ties there were, and where certain church- 
es stood, and what their purposes were ; 
besides various formidable arrays of figures 
which God thought it worth while to have 
his servants record. A profound inditfer- 
ence to the details and current history ol 
one's own Church and Society docs not, 
therefore, necessarily argue a great mind. 
In fact, instead of great minds neglecting 
trifies, the great men of the world have 
been most distinguished for their aston- 
ishing knowledge of details. The com- 
bination of these, and efficient generaliza- 
tion therefrom, are what constitutes a great 
mind. These hints we throw out for the 
benefit of various brethren who do not 



1859,} 



Nmthmng ike Chvrehea and Mmben. 



187 



Kke to eondeseend to such low tJiings. 
Eyen if tbej have ** no taste for such mat- 
ten," we are willing, ** positively for this 
time only ** and for this purpose only, to 
let the matter of *^ taste " go, and allow 
** tiie exercise scheme." 

Not only will it not hart a pastor, bodi- 
ly or mentally, — it may possibly help his 
nsefblness, to have some actual and pre- 
cise knowledge of the persons committed to 
bis chaige. We came near saying, a few 
fines above, that a minister's greatness 
consisted, on the whole, in his doing his 
duty where God had appointed him to the 
Blessed Work. If we may venture to 
hint it now, then a pastor ought to have a 
knowkdge of all the persons comprising 
his flock. Possibly their souls may need 
a little attention. Possibly the pastor is 
the very man whose duty it is to minister 
tiiat attention. Possibly, if he does min- 
ister to each, he will be able to Record 
tlieir nnmber, and how many are added 
of them to the visible Church in a given 
time, and how many, in the judgment of 
charity, go to the Church triumphant in 
the same period. Possibly, a gentle jog 
once a year, may prove helpful to his ob- 
taining such an accurate and complete 
knowledge of his people ; may suggest, as 
he goes over the list, some poor soul which 
needs comforting, or some lonely home 
where his voice will be a blessing, or some 
wayward heart which may need warning. 
And if such a jog continues to find igno- 
rance, it is painfully suggestive whether 
intelligent faithfulness, as a pastor, is com- 
patible with such ignorance. Noble old 
Cotton Blather used to keep, on a list, the 
name of every member of his regular con- 
gregation, and at set times he used to pass 
whole days on his knees, commending 
every one, by name^ to God, and asking 
wisdom how to meet each case with the 
needed gospel ; and who wonders that his 
labors were abundantly blessed? — the 
g^rious old man, now laughed at by a 
generation not worthy to wipe the dust 
from his shoes. Would it have troubled 
Atm, had he been asked how many souls 

VOL. I. 18 



the Lord had committed to his care? 
And if the mere sight of the names on the 
Church Book should suggest to any pae- 
tor ** so many immortal souls under my 
poor watch," and should lead him to the 
throne of grace, he ought to thank the 
persistent Secretary who gives his delin- 
quent soul no rest 

A truth of a more comprehensive na- 
ture i^ that each pastor, and all con- 
cerned in these numberings, are preparing 
the way for a better administration of our 
stewardship towards our land. The &Cts 
thus acquired are yet to be made of great 
service to the Cause. As for ourselves, 
we would not lift a finger to obtain the 
figures for the mere sake of figures, or of 
their completeness, or for denominational 
comparisons. We look to results yet to be 
accomplished — religious rather than Con- 
gregational, and Congregational for the 
sake of the religious. We. bear in mind 
the fact that our churches, standing side 
by side with other denominations, are to 
Christianize this land. Missionary Socie- 
ties, Church Extenrion Boards, Building 
Funds, churches, are to work together 
for this sole end. Now to work advan- 
tageously, the facts as to our whole coun- 
try must be known, and so accurately that 
the character of every neighborhood shall 
be understood. How many churches, and 
where they are, and what portion of the 
population are united in them ; the supply 
of the ministry, and the preaching of the 
word of God ; the waste places, which are 
yet to be built up ; the deserts yet ** to 
rejoice and blossom as the rose ;*' — these 
things ai*e to be understood better than 
they yet have been. The fields must be 
more judiciously surveyed. The map is 
yet to be spread out. 

We are of the number of those who be- 
lieve that our Missionary Societies are yet 
to take a higher position than the churches 
have hitherto allowed them to take. In- 
stead of waiting till somebody somewhere 
wakes up enough to beg, and estimating 
the taxable property of the petitioners, 
the whole ground is to be aggressively 



1S8 



Numkerkiff the Ckurehes and Menders 



l&nst, 



oeeapied. Places deititate of liie gospel 
are to hare tlie gospel. Ministers are to 
go where the gospel is needed. Chris- 
tians are to send theuL Systematically 
to accomplish this work, a careful and 
accurate knowledge of the whole ground 
is indispensable. Not that our own de- 
nomination is to work alone and for them- 
telves ; in fact, to avoid needless encoun* 
ters with others, and the consequent waste 
of efforts, (which is the least of the evil 
results,) is this very knowledge needed. 
There exist at the present time no ready 
means of ascertaining the destitutions of 
car country, and we may perhaps say, of 
more than one or two States. The great 
value of the statistics, when they are 
rendered sufficiently exact, will consist in 
affording just such data as are indispen- 
sable t9 this knowledge. The partial ex- 
plorations, occasionally made, will not 
•affice. 

Take, ibr example, one of the States 
best supplied, Massachusetts. Apart from 
the detorminadon engendered in the Uni- 
tarian division, to plant an Orthodox 
Church by the side of every Unitarian 
one, a work now well nigh accomplished, — 
we doubt whether any systematic plan 
has ever been had to give the gospel to 
every community. Certainly no data ex- 
ist by which the destitutions can be ac- 
curately known, and not even a list of 
towns destitote of a Church of our own 
faith, was known to exist until within 
two years. The disastrous results of a 
want of system on more limited fields are 
evident In the city of Boston, for ex- 
ample, churches have been located to suit 
personal convenience or whim, rather 
than actual wants ; money has been thus 
badly invested ; churches have died out ; 
and other changes will yet have to be 
made, — a part, indeed, rendered neces- 
sary by the change of residences into 
places of business, but another part di- 
rectly traceable to absence of considerate 
judgment ; and of this, other and shrewder 
denominations have reaped the fruits. 
Conader what the extensioa of such a 



system is over the whole eontntiry, and lit 
see what waste would be caused l^ the 
interference of den<Hninations» by the iib* 
judicious expenditure of means, and what 
numbers of plages must be ne^^ected. 

The time ought soon to codie whea 
there shall be in print, a census, speci- 
fying ^y^ry distinct locality in the United 
States, with its population, and with the 
name and size of every evangelical 
Church in each, its yearly additiona aad 
losses, with its Sabbath School interesli^ 
together with the ministerial supply. Des- 
titutions would then be visible at a glance. 
The friends of truth would come leas and 
less to interfere with each other. The 
land would more easily be posacMod. 
Vague ideas would give place to exaet 
knowledge, and the work to be done 
would be comprehended. 

But until our own statistics are reapee^ 
able, we have no concern with those ef 
others. At the present time they art 
sadly defective. To help to attain a bet- 
ter state of thiaga, and with a hope to w^ 
cure an approach to uniformity, we make 
thcM suggestions as to the features of the 
stetistics wanted,— encouraged by the fiwt 
that the movement undertaken by the 
American Congr^ational Union, and a»> 
sisted by the example of what had beea 
accomplished in one State, has alreadj 
greatly improved our denominational r»> 
ports. 

1. Our stetistics should be denomina- 
tional; by which we mean that they 
should specify the items and take the 
form naturally suggested by the genius of 
Congregationalism. Thus with the Bap- 
tists, *' baptisms " are equivalent to ** pro- 
fession ;" with us, it is not sa With 
Unitarians, the number of Church meo^ 
bers is not ascerteinable ; with us, the re- 
quirement of a '* change of heart,** and 
the prerequisite to communion, make the 
number of professed believers accurately 
defined. With the Methodists, the ab- 
sence of power in the societies makes 
their stetistics content themselves with the 
mere number of communioantSy but tbe|r 



2M».] 



NvmAerwg the Churehet and Mimben. 



139 



are r^ ip^dfie as to minifterial mattevs; 
witb OS, all that concerns the Church 
itnlf shook! be exhibited. Natarally, 
liMrelore, the name of a Church, its ex- 
act locality, the precise date of its oi^gan- 
iaation, are first easentiaL Then the 
naoie of its minister, his exact date of 
orif^nal ordination, and the time of his 
pi tj s e nl settlement Then the exact num- 
ber, at a given date, of the male and fe- 
flMle members, with their total, and the 
number of absentees appearing on the list, 
wUeh is essential to a knowledge of the 
Obvvch's eflkiency. Then the result of 
tke preceding yearns labor, viz : the addi- 
tkHM, divided into those ** by profession " 
aad liiose ** by letter;" the losses, speci- 
Qrhig'how many by death, by dismissal to 
other chnrcfaes, and by exconununication ; 
the baptisms, specifying ^adults" and 
■^nftafs." Then, the total number in 
tke (8a b bi<h School* somming together 
tSichm and scholars. Whether the 
amomt of donations can be, practically, 
obtained is doubtfiil; bat all the pre- 
ceding items are indispensable. 

Now when we turn to the various pub- 
lieations of our General Asaociations, we 
find that the statistics of New Hampshire, 
Vermont and Massachusetts, include all 
Uiese items in full. Maine lacks only the 
date of ministerial ordination; Rhode 
Island omits the month and day of dates ; 
Connecticut omits the ** Sabbath School ;" 
New York omits the month and day of 
dates, and the date of ordinations, nor does 
it indicate whether the minister is actually 
pastor or only a ^ stated supply ;** New 
Jtney^ Pennsylvania, Indiana, Nebraska, 
and Oregon do not publish at all, nor 
does Ohio thid year ; Illinois omits *' month 
and day " and the time of ordination, and 
hot partially distinguishes between pas- 
ton and stated supplies ; ot Michigan we 
are promised something better next year, 
and hence spare its present issue ; Wis- 
consin omits all dates whatever, and col- 
umns of ** males" and '* females ;*' Iowa 
omits all dates, save the year of com- 
aenciog labor in the field in question, 



omits ** males," ^ females," *« absent," and 
*^ totals " of gains and losses ; Kansas re- 
ports only names and numbers, and time of 
conmiencing labor; California jumbles 
together various matters in almost undia* 
tinguishable confusion ; from all of which 
we see room for considerable improve- 
ment In some States improvement is 
already resolved upon, and we commend 
to all our General Associations the VsB- 
MONT tables as appearing altogether the 
best of the whole list, — with one single 
improvement from the Massachusetts star 
tistics, vis : to specify (1) the name of the 
town, (2) the locality in the town, and (8) 
the name of the Church ; and also to in- 
sist on the first name of every clergyman. 

2. To be of use, our statistics should be 
complete, ^perfect and entire, wanting 
nothing." 

The statistics of each State should i^ 
port every Congregational Church in thai 
State, and should distinctly specify the 
towns in which none exist Massachu- 
setts minutes, issued twenty years ago, ava 
next to valueless, from the tact that many 
individual churches, and those in the 
bounds of one whole Association, were 
omitted, without the slightest mention of 
thtrir existence; again and again have 
churches, which failed to report, had 
their names stricken out, as if that rem- 
edied the matter; the present Statistical 
Secretary has restored the names of twelve 
churches thus dropped. Our State bod- 
ies are not divinely organized, and they 
have no right to apparently disfellowship 
a Church because it is not in their con- 
nexion. Now of no States but Maine, 
New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 
and Connecticut, do we feel the slightest 
certainty that all the churches are enu- 
merated, while in many others, on ac- 
count of peculiar difficulties, there is no 
pretence to such completeness. At least 
225 churches are thus passed by. Every 
Church should be enumerated, whether 
reported or not 

But every Church should be reported* 
In no other way can reliable fiwts be at- 



140 



Numbering ihe Churehes and Members. [Amjl, 



oertiined ; and never should an old re- 
port be repeated. We have in mind an 
instance where a newly settled pastor 
hnmorously answered our query as to the 
** males " and ** females " constituting the 
276 members of his Church, by saying 
that he could not tell, but he was certain 
as to the 276 members, as that report had. 
been annually made for ten years. How 
many old reports are copied we cannot 
estimate, but we know of no States which 
resist the temptation except Massachu- 
setts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island ; 
although perhaps other States do. The 
number omitting to report at all is gen- 
erally easily ascertained ; in Maine, old 
reports fill the gap ; in New Hampshire, 
none are delinquent; in Vermont, 49, 
with 22 copied ; in Massachusetts, none ; 
in Rhode Island, one; in Connecticut, 
23 ; in New York, 5 ; in Illinois, 15 (if we 
count the obscure tables rightly) ; in 
Michigan, none, (by a summary process of 
cc^ying); in Wisconsin, 13, (of which 
some are supplied from previous years) ; 
of the other States nothing can be said. 
In all, the number is large who have a 
** name to live " in our liJsts, but present 
no other evidence of life. 

Each Church should report every item 
also. This may seem a small matter, but 
it needs no peculiar skill in mathematics 
to see that if a hundred churches omit one 
item each, ^d another hundred a second, 
and so on through the list, it is the same 
as though a hundred churches had actually 
£uled to report. At least 243 of our 
enumerated churches last year entirely 
neglected to report additions and losses ; 
and the proportion which omitted one or 
more items Is enormous. The result of 
attempts to fill up these defects is some- 
times comical; we have before us a 
Church which has, in the same line, 
** members last year," 15, no additions, no 
losses, " members this year," 8 ; another 
which fell from 39 to 30 in the same mys- 
terious way ; another, which, by receiving 
2 members, rose from 72 to 95, and yet 
distinctly iUclares that it has neither 



males nor iemales.in the Cliiucli; and 

these are specimens of scores. The diffi- 
culty in these cases is that somebody has 
manufactured a statement to fill up the 
blank. In Maine, it b impossiUe to tell the 
number of churches furnishing iwiperfect 
returns ; in New Hampshire it was, last 
year, 17 ; in Vermont, 46 ; in Massacha- 
settsi 16 out of 482 ; in Rhode Island, I 
out of 20 reporting ; in Connecticut, it it 
impossible to tell, inasmuch as the absence 
of ciphers is like chanty in 1 Peter, iv : 8 ; 
in New York, where peculiar obstacles 
exist, 90; in Illinois, the Connecticttt 
mantle is fashionable, with similar results ; 
in Michigan, two items only are reported 
by any Church; in Wisconsin, 10; in 
Iowa, the Connecticut custom fidls even 
to hide the evident delinquencies. 

In addition to Church items, there 
should be a complete list of all Orthodox 
CongregaticHial deigymen in each Slate. 
At present none such exist, thoogh in 
Massachusetts one was last year attempt^ 
ed. Ministers are now counted twice 
in very many instances ; and others are 
omitted, in large numbers. It seems to 
be forgotten that membership in Associa- 
tions is not the test of fellowship. 

3. The arrangement of our statistics 
should be simple and clear. Associations, 
and churches in Associations, should be 
arranged alphabetically; Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, New York, Illinois, and 
Iowa, have now adopted this plan. There 
should be full *' explanations '* prefixed 
or attached to the tables, which is now 
done only in Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire. An index of ministers, (with 
P. O. address,) one of towns, and one of 
the proceedings of the Greneral Associa- 
tion, are indispensable ; Maine and Wis- 
consin give the first and third; New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island (sub- 
stantially), New York, Illinois (partially), 
Michigan (partially), Iowa (partially), 
give the first ; Massachusetts alone, gives 
all three ; and Connecticut and California 
neither. The style of printing the an- 



1859.] 



Senry Wolcoti and his ChUdren. 



141 



noal proceediDgs in several of the States 
makes a confused medley of the if hole 
matter, almost defying investigation. 
Each item of business should be separated 
from every other, and should have its ap- 
propriate heading, which the eye can 
readily catch. There should also be in- 
serted, the names of officers, times of 
meeting, and every other item desirable 
to be known, conspicuously printed and 
arranged, so as to inform any person, how- 
ever unacquainted with our affairs. 

It will be seen that the statistics of no 
State are now, in all respects, satisfactory. 
At the same time, great improvements 
have been made within the past few 
yeaxB ; and improvements, we have rea- 
son to know, are resolved upon in the 
nextxissues. This being the case, it may 
seem invidious to chronicle existing de- 
fects ; bat such a chronicle seems necea- 
sary to help on the movement, and 
especially to produce that uniformity of 
plan which is so desirable in itself, and 
which will be necessary if the various re- 
ports are ever to be printed in one vol- 
ume. That project has been suggested, 
and may yet be realized; but no one, 
aware of the present defects, could ask 
any man so far to abandon self-respect as 
to attach his name to such a medley as 
the present issues would furnish. Even 
the few items which the present energetic 
Secretary of the American Congrega- 



tional Union attempts, by laborioos 
efforts, to complete for the Year Book, 
show^tbe difficulty of compiling anything 
satisfactory out of the heterogeneous mass 
submitted to him ; the cooling of masses 
of such varying specific gravities, throws 
everything into cracked and disjointed 
confusion. If this is the case with so few 
items, a compiler of full tables would, be- 
fore affixing his name, feel like Falstaff, 
as he looked on his ** hundred and fifty 
tattered proffigates ;" ** if I be not ashamed 
of my soldiers, I am a soused gurnet," 
said he to Bardolph ; ** eye hath not seen 

such scarecrows;' I'll not march 

through Coventry with them, that* s flat" 
To remedy these defects, there must be 
a Statistical Secretary in each State, — a 
man persistent, industrious, obstinate, 
energetic, good-natured, imperturbable, — 
who shall have exclusive charge of se* 
curing and publishing the ^tistics; a 
Statistical Scribe, of like character, in 
each local Association ; and a feeling on 
the part of churches and pastors that an 
accurate knowledge of our field of labor 
is imperiously demanded. When these 
things are rightly established, an inquirer 
for some wanted fact in our statistics 
would no longer be able to repeat the 
endorsement of a sheriff, who had failed 
to secure the person he was ordered to 
arrest, ** non comeatUms in swampo.** 



HENRY WOLCOTT AND HIS CHILDREN: 

A PURITAN FAMILY. 



BY REV. SAMXTEL WOLCOTT, OP PROVIDENCB, B. I. 



Henry Wolcott was the second son 
of John Wolcott, of Galdon Manor, Tol- 
land, in Somersetshire, England, where 
he was born; he was baptized in the 
adjoining parish of Lydiard St. Law- 
rence, Dec. 6, 1578.^ He married, Jan. 

•1 We go back no farther than thie, although our 
neord of the flunily In England embraces leTeral 
fMMnlions. Tbt fbllowlng iaeidant, x«lattng to 



19, 1606, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas 
Saunders, of Lydiard St Lawrence ; she 

John Waleot of Waloot, who liTed in the early part 
of the 15th century, and explaining the intro- 
duction of rooka into the Coat of Arms, may hare 
a little general Interest just now, when the mania 
for ohess-playing is so preraleoft. It is recorded 
of him, In the old &mUy pedigree, that ** playing 
aft the ohesse with Henry the fifth, kings of Bnglande, 
he gaTe him the eheok matte with the zonke, whan- 



142 



Hmry Wolecit and his Chiblrm. 



[Apbil^ 



was baptized Dee. 20, 1584. "^Thts 
happie pair were married About je year 
1606. He came to New England about 
the year 1628, and in the year 1680 
brought over his family, to avoid the per- 
secution of those times against Dissen- 
ters." » 

This was during the reign of King 
Charles I., while its oppressiveness was 
felt, but several years before the roused 
spirit of the people, under the good 
guidance of Oliver Cromwell, swept 
away his authority and his tyranny to- 
gether. 

** Every comer of the nation," says Eng- 
land'd latest historian, in describing this 
epoch, ** was subjected to a constant and 
minute inspection. Every little congre- 
gatiou of separatists was tracked out and 
broken up. Even the devotions of pri- 
vate families could not escape the vigi- 
lance of spies. And the tribunals afforded 
DO protection to the subject against the 
civil and ecclesiastical tyranny of that 
period." *' This was the conjuncture at 
which the liberties of England were in the 
greatest peril. The opponents of the gov- 
ernment began to despair of the destiny 
of their country ; and many looked to the 
American wilderness as the only asylum 
in which they could enjoy civil and spirit- 
ual freedom. There a few resolute Puri- 
tans, who, in the cause of their religion, 
feared neither the rage of the ocean nor 
the hardships of uncivilized life, neither 
the fangs of savage beasts nor the toma- 
hawks of more savage men, built, amidst 
the primeval forest, villages which are 
now great and opulent cities, but which 
have, through every change, retained 
some trace of the character derived from 



apc>n th« kloica cbangfd bis roat of arms, wbirh wai 
the croM mith flower de luren, aoJ i^aTe Lim the 
roukw for a reineinbraiic«." . . . . " Ic Mf^mex these 
Ghe^s Rookn were at flrsr culled Rooks for being in 
defence of all 3e re*t; and rherefore thej stMnde in 
ye Qt termor t corners of ye ClietweboHrd as Frontier 
Castles. King Wm. ye Conqueror lost g eet Loid- 
ships at Uils playe. And It might well become a 
King, fbr therein are comprftied all ye Stratagnns of 
Warr or plocts of Cfrfll State.'* 
1 MB., "• ftaMf Ohfoooleflt,*' 1691. 



their founders. The government regarded 
these infant colonies with aversion, and 
attempted violently to stop the stream of 
emigration, but could not prevent the 
population of New England from being 
largely recruited by stout-hearted and 
God-fearing men from every part of the 
old England."* 

Of this character was the Puritao Emi- 
grant, of whom we now present a slight 
memorial. He was not an obscure adven- 
turer, but held a fair position among the 
gentry in England, and possessed an 
estate which yielded him a handsome 
income. By the decease of his elder 
brother without issue, he subsequendy 
became proprietor of the £unily estates, 
including the Manor, and a mill in the 
same village. '* Tolland,** says U. G. 
Somerby, Esq., in a letter to the family, 
** is one of the most secluded, quiet, and 
picturesque villages in England. The 
Galdon Manor, which I sketched, and 
which is now occupied as a fiirm boose, 
must at one time have been very exten- 
sive, and the principal room very splen- 
did for the period. It is still richly orna- 
mented with carved work, etc. I visited 
the old Mill, which belonged to the Fam- 
ily at least 300 years ago. The house 
connected with it, now somewhat dil<«pi- 
dated, is the same which was then stand- 
ing, and is a curious specimen of archi- 
tecture, both internally and externally. 
The mill is also the original one, with a 
modern addition to one end ; I made a 
8ket4-h of the house and mill." A portion 
of this property was held by the descend- 
ants of the Emigrant in this country 
until the year 1787, when what remained 
was sold for £850 sterling. 

When Henry Wolcott determined to 
emigrate, he had passed his fif^y-second 
year, and his children were at an age 
when they most needed such advantages 
in the way of education, limited though 
they were, as they could find only in 
their native land. The parents decided, 
as the least trying of the courses open to 

• IUeaalay,|.6»,71. 



1859.] 



Havry WohM and hif CWdrtn, 



148 



tiiiein, (though thej most have taken the 
resolution with a hfavy heart.) to leave 
behind them their two daughters and their 
youngest son, then 6ve years of age, until 
a settlement had been eflected in America. 
Taking three sons, (Henry, George, and 
Christopher,) they went forth, at this 
stik^e of life, to grapple with the hardships 
of a new settlement in an unexplored 
country — retiring forever from their pleas- 
ant seat, from the place of their fathers' 
sepulchres and the birth-place of all their 
children, (from some of whom, in their 
tender years, they were to be separated 
for an uncertain period,) and bravely 
encountering the unknown future which 
awaited them and tbf irs on the deep and 
in the desert They have their reward — 
and they desired none other on earth — a 
Dame and a place among those excellent 
companies, of whom the world was not 
worthy, who came out from the mother 
country to this, at that eventful period, 
on their high mission of civilization and 
Christianity. 

The company, of which they were 
members, consisted of 140 persons; and 
the historian of Connecticut makes the 
following mention of them : 

** In one of the first ships which arrived 
this year, came over the Rev. Mr. John 
Warham,^ Mr. John Maverick,' Mr. Ros- 

1 JORir Wakram came from Exi*rer, England, 
(«4i»re h« b«d bc«n an nninenr mlnlsrer,) as r««rher 
of th« Dorrbester Churrh, Mr. MaTerirk being pas- 
tor. Ue did not rtmore to Connecticut until the 
September following the renioral of his Churrh. He 
r«awln«Hl at Wiadtor nnfil bi^ death, April 1, 1670. 
Cotton Mather sappo^es that he was "the first 
prearher that erer preached with notes in New Eng- 
land." Though *' as pious a man as most that w«re 
oat of heaven," yet he was sa* Jertto " fearful *lejee- 
tioiiflof mind." His wife died in 1614; his daughter, 
Bsther, married, 1st, Rev. ElsaiHr Mnther, the min- 
ister of Northampton, Ms., (who was son of ReT. 
Rlrbard and Cnthftrine (Holt) Mnthrr, of Dorchester, 
Md born May 18, 1687, H. C, 1656, di«-d July 23, 
1609) ; by this marrlHKe she had thrre rhildrnn, vis : 
Warham b. Sept. 7. 1666, and st'ttled in New iliven ; 
Blakim b. Sept 22, 166^, and Eunice b. Aug. 2, 1Q64, 
married Rer. John Williams, *■• the Rrdefmed (!ap- 
tire," and w.ts killed by the Indians Feb 21. 1704 ; 
Esther, widow of Ker. Klenser Mather, married, 2d, 
March 8, 1670, Rer. Solomon Stoddard, snrcess'ir in 
iba miniatry to h(wr tutmmx kkiubaod, aad a toa of 



siter, Mr. Lndlow, Mr. Henry Wolcotl, 
and others of Mr. Warham's Church and 
congregation, who first settled the town of 
Windsor, in Connecticut. Mr. Rossiter 
and Mr. Ludlow were magistrates. Mr. 
Wolcott had a fine estate, and was a ma* 
of superior abilities. This was an honor- 
able company. Mr. Warham had been a 
famous minister in Exeter, the capital of 
the county of Devonshire. The people 
who came with him were from the three 
counties of Devonshire, Dorsetshire, and 
Somersetshire."* "They were a very 
godly and religious people, and many of 
them persons of figure and note, being 
dignified with the title of Mr^ which 
few in those davs were.*** 

They sailed from Plymourh in Eng- 
land, on the 20th of March. 1630, in the 
ship Mary and John, of 400 tons burthen, 

Anthony Stiiddard, «>f Boston ; b. 0<-t 4, 1648, U. 0. 
1662, ordained Sept. 11, 16ri, d. Feb. U, i7k9 ; twalrt 
ehiidren were the fruits of this marriage ; of tb»« 
twelve children, three died young; five daughters 
married clerKymen, (one of whlfh flve, Esther, waa 
the mother of Jokatbah Bowabm); one poo was a 
clergy nuiD, and one a Judge. Of the dcaeandaDta of 
John Warham, in adlirioD to tlie eminent Edwardl 
family (in part,) are included many distinguished 
oames; Prof. S'tlnnion Stoddard, of Mlddiebary, 
Charles Stoddard, Esq , of Boston, and the lamented 
Missionary, DMTid T. Stoddard, are on tlw list of do- 
scendHnts. — Sumn^^s East Botton; Stoddard ^i:- 
pfts; Hist.-Om. Rfghter. q. 

s JoBM Matkeicx was a mintater of tlie Estab- 
lished Churrh, and resided about forty miles from 
Exeter, KngUnd ; be is first mentioned at the timo 
of the s&<tewblNgB in the New Ilospitnl, Plymouth, 
England, to organise a Chorph. Cotton M.ither 
includes him in the '* First Clasals " of ministers, 
Tis : those who " were in the actual exercise of tlieir 
ministry when they left England.*' He was ** some- 
what adeanced In sge," at that period, fie took tlie 
freeman's oath May 18, 1631. A curious account of 
his dr} ing some gun-powdt'r In a pan, over the fire, 
In the Dorcht^nter meeting-house, which whs used as 
a magHsiiie al^o, and the wonderful escape of Maver- 
ick iu the const'quent exploelon of a ^* small barrel," 
are dfscrlbifd in WititbropV Journal, i. *72. Mr. 
Mirveriik expt*cted to rfUiOTe to CountH;tlcut, but 
died Frb. 8, 1036-7, aged '* about sixty." *' A godly 
man, a belofi^l pjtstor, a safe and truthful guide." 
Samuel Maverick, au Episropalian, an early settler 
of Noddled Island, and afterwards Royal Commla- 
s!onf>r, was a son of KfV. John. For a full account 
of each, st-e Sumaer''s Hist of East Boston. q. 

s Trumbull, Hisc. Conn., i. 28. 
« Mass. Uist. Coll., iz. 160. 



144 



Henry Woleatt and his ChUchen. 



[Afbil^ 



Capt Sqaeb, Master. Before their em- 
barkation, after their passage had been 
engaged, they were allowed the privilege 
of organizing themselves into an indepen- 
dent Church. This is now the First 
Church in Windsor — ^the oldest in the 
State of Connecticut^ The Barnstable 
and Plymouth churches, in Massachu- 
setts, had been organized in the same 
way, and these three, so far as we know, 
are the only New England churches 
which had a transatlantic origin. 

They arrived at Nantasket on the 
Lord*8 Day, May 80th, 1630, after a voy- 
age of two months and ten days, and 
landed the next day. A brief account of 
the expedition from one of their own 
number, Capt Roger Clapy one of the 
first settlers of Dorchester, who was then 
a young man, is fortunately extant. We 
quote from it only that portion which 
seems to illustrate the eminently religious 
character of the early New England 
emigration : 

** There came godly ^milies in that 
ship. We were of passengers, many in 
number, (besides seamen,) of good rank. 
These godly people resolved to live to- 
gether ; and therefore, as they had made 
choice of those two reverend servants of 
God, Mr. John Warham and Mr. John 
Maverick, to be their ministers, so they 
kept a solemn day of fasting in the New 
Hospital in Plymouth, in England, spend- 
ing it in preaching and praying; when 
that worthy man of God, Mr. John White 
of Dorchester, in Dorset, was present, 
and preached unto us the word of God in 
the fore part of the day ; and in the latter 
part of the day, as the people did solemnly 
make choice of and call those godly min- 
isters to be their officers, so also the rev- 
erend Mr. Warham and Mr. Maverick 
did accept thereof, and expressed the 
same. So we came, by the good hand of 
the Lord, through the deeps comfortably ; 
having preaching, or expounding of the 

1 It U the porpow of the writer to giTe gome 
Moount of th« Windsor MttlenMDUi and oborchM in 
•notlMr papor. 



word of God, every day for ten weeks 
together, by our ministers." ' 

Of the landing at Nantasket, the ex- 
plorations of the party, the privalaons 
which were suffered, and the first settle- 
ment at Dorchester, Capt Clap gives a 
a pathetic and deeply interesting narra- 
tive, of which our limits will not allow 
even an abstract ; ^ in those days," says 
Clap, ** Grod did cause this people to trust 
in Him." 

The name of Henry Wolcott appears 
in the first List of ^* ffreemen " made in 
Boston, Oct 19, 1630. This was the day 
on which the first Greneral Court in Mas- 
sachusetts was held; consisting not of rep- 
resentatives, but of individual freemen. 
Under the ancient charter of the Colony, 
none were recognized as members of the 
body politic, except such as were admitted 
by the General Court, and took the oath 
of allegiance to the colonial goTemment. 

Wolcott remained at Dorchester but 
six years. With the bulk of the Dorches- 
ter Church, he removed to Connecticut 
There had been, for several years, a dis- 
position among the ^ttlers of several 
Massachusetts towns to remove, — partly 
prompted by scarcity, partly by a desire 
for more land than the nearness of their 
settlements allowed ; and possibly other 
motives, as to government, CTtered. The 
reports of John Oldham, who, with three 
others, had visited Connecticut in 1633, 
and the statements given by Plymouth 
people, who early located there, led them 
to consider that territory with favor. 
They applied, in 1684, to the General 
Court, for permission to remove thither, 
but without effect In 1635, they met 
with better success. Pioneers from Mr. 
Warham's Church at Dorchester, went 
thither in the summer of 1635, most of 
whom were compelled, by the severity of 
the approaching winter, to return ; those 
who remained met with extreme priva- 
tions; a precarious support by hunting, 
or from acorns, malt and grains, reduced 
them to great want ; their cattle died to 
> Toang*s Chronklat, pp. 846-48. 



1859.] 



Henry Wokoit and Ma Children. 



145 



the loss, for the Dorchester people alone, 
of £200. Bat when spring opened, the 
tide of emigration recommenced. The 
towns of Windsor, Hartford, and Weath- 
ersfield, were settled from Dorchester,^ 
Cambridge and Watertown, respectively. 
Among these settlers, Trambull mentions 
•* several of the principal gentlemen,^ viz : 
^ Mr. John Haynes, who at this time was 
Governor of Massachusetts, Mr. Henry 
Wolcott, Mr. Wells," and others, — who 
quieted the Plymouth, the Dutch, and the 
Indian titles, in an honorable manner. 

The greater part of the emigrants went 
by land. "It was" says McCIure,* **a 
long, fatiguing and dangerous march. 
About one hundred men, women and chil- 
dren took their departure from the three 
towns, encumbered with baggage and 
cattle, to travel through an unexplored 
territory. They shaped their course by a 
compass. They had to pick their way 
through forests, over or around swamps and 
mountains, and to construct rafb to help 
them over the streams. They saw here and 
there a solitary foot-path leading to the In- 
dian villages. The Nipnit or inland In- 
dians, whose country they passed through, 
were numerous, and might have taken 
advantage of their weak and defenceless 
condition to cut them off. But the God of 
Israel, vinf conducted the chosen tribes 
through the desert of Arabia, and caused 
the fear of the people of God to fall upon 

1 It b said that the inoTem«Dt was dimgreeable to 
the pastort, who yielded only on seeing the preTalent 
desire of the people. The First Church of Ddrehes- 
ter came hither in an organised state, (organised in 
1680) ; it is now the First Church in Windsor, Ot. 
The Church in Dorchester, which now bears the 
name of the First Church, was oi^nised Aug. 28, 
16S6, and is now Unitarian. The '' Second Church," 
of which Dr. John Codman was the first pastor, and 
Ber. James H. Means the second and present, was 
organised Jan. 1, 1808. 

t We quote this from " a Century ThanlugiTing 
Sermon ; Text, Deuc. ir : 87, 83. Preached in East 
Windsor, Dec. 24, 1795," by Ker. Dr. McClure, of 
South Windsor, of wtiich the original and a rtrised 
manuscript are in our possession. The substance of 
a portion of it was given in a letter by Dr. McClure 
to the MassacbuMtts Historical Society, and appears 
in their Collections, First SerUs^ t. 166, 171. 
VOL. I. 19 



their enemies, in like manner restrained 
the savages of the wilderness from molest- 
ing this worthy company. They were 
fourteen days performing this tedious 
journey. Their hearts did not sink under 
the pressure of sufferings. Some of them 
had lived delicately in their native coun- 
try, but they cheerfully encountered the 
hardships of the way. They fed upon 
the milk of their cattle ; and wrapped in 
their cloaks and blankets, they slept upon 
the ground, amid the nightly bowlings of 
beasts of prey. They were supported hjh 
the goodness of the cause for which they 
had followed Grod into the wilderness ; his 
providence had pointed out to them the 
path of duty; and they devoutly prayed 
and sung Psalms as they marched along, 
and the woods for the first time resounded 
with sacred hallelujahs. They at length 
came in sight of this river, the object of 
their ardent expectation." 

To some of the first settlers of Con- 
necticut, the Massachusetts government 
had given political authority, although the 
territory was clearly beyond its jurisdic- 
tion. This was in force but one year. 
In the year 1637, the first General As- 
sembly was held in Connecticut. Mr. 
Henry Wolcott had been elected a mem- 
ber of the Committee, twelve in number, 
which constituted the Lower House, or 
popular branch of that body ; and thus he 
participated in the first legislative pro- 
ceedings of both Colonies. In 1640, his 
name stands first in the list of inhabitants 
in Windsor. In 164S, he was elected a 
member of the House of Magistrates, as 
the Upper House, the present Senate, 
was then styled, consisting of six or eight 
members ; and he was annually reelected 
during life. 

In the year 1640, Mr. Wolcott appears 
to have visited England. His younger 
children, Anna, Mary and Simon, had 
probably joined the family in America 
before this date ; we can only ascertain 
that they came between the years 1681 
and 1641. 

We have, in our collection of family 



146 



Henry Walcott and his Children. 



[Apbil, 



manuscripts, thirteen letters, tent from 
England during the first thirty years of 
their settlement here. Letters of this 
date, handed down through eight genera- 
tions, are so rare as to be a cariosity, and 
warrant the insertion of the annexed 
specimens. The genuine antiquities of 
the family, however, are some English 
DeedSf older than the settlement of 
America, handsomely engrossed on parch- 
ment, with the original signatures and 
seals attached; one of them bears the 
> Great Seal of Bacon, Lord Chancellor 
of England. We give three letters entire, 
from different persons : 

Cozen Henry my love to you remembered 
and to your fiither and mother to your 
Brothers these are to give you to under- 
derstand that we are all in good health my 
£etther hath remembered his love to you and 
to your father and mother and to the rest 
of your Brothers these are to give you to 
understand that your Brother Simon hath 
been verre sickc of late and soe hath your 
sisters alsoc But now thanks be to al- 
mightie god they are resonabelly wel 
againe Your Brother John continues in 
his ould Course of livinge. We shall al 
desire to have your Companic with us soe 
soone as Conveniently you can good Cozen 
let me Intreatc you to write to me of the 
manner and situation of the Cuntry I have 
sent you in your Box a quire of paper be 
kause you shall remember to write unto 
me soe in hast I levinge you to the prtex- 
ion of the almightie god I end and rcstt 
Your Inseperabcl Cozen 

John Wallcott [Jr], 

WeUington, 22 July, 1631 

7b his Lovinge Cozen 
Henry Wolcott Junior 
in MJtUapan (Dorchester J 

these in new England. 



In Venns in Bushqps lydeard 
the I5th of ApriU 1639 : 

Loving and deare brother my trew love 
and best respects unto yourselfe my sister 
in .Lawe and all my Cuzens remerabred 
wishing allwayes your health and prospe- 
ritie in the Lorde and trusting in God you 
arc in good health as we all weare at the 
writting hearof the Lords name be prayesd 
for it. Breather soe it is that it hath 



pleased the Lord to take to his menie the 
soull of omr deare brother Christopher WoU- 
cott of Wdlington who desesed the 2dth 
of Ikiarch 1639 : In the mominge he died 
vntestat and thareby as I vnderstand that 
his Land faleth vnto yourself or your sonne 
which maketh me to writt vnto you to 
know your minde what you will have done 
in it I desire your answer as soone as maye 
be for I am informed that his land Mleth 
vnto you and all his prsonall estatt falleth 
vnto his wifie and for my paitt I shall have 
nothinge yeat you knowe deare brother 
that I have suported him by his breeding, 
and his being* in Fraimce and by byeing 
him lande by copie into Tolland >I111 Liv- 
ing, and into John Living which 

never cost him a pehnie and nowe in re- 
quitall of it I shall not have a pennie which 
greveth the verie harte of me that it should 
soe fall out, for he did promise our father 
in his death bed that my sonne John WoU- 
cott should be his hcare vnto Tolland Mill 
and allso promised it before manie others, 
yeat neverthelese I will put my trust in 
the Lord for he hath been my helper and 
my shure defense hithervnto and soe he 
shall be vnto the end, for thes things are 
transitorie and put vpon me for triall of 
my patience but the Lord knoweth whome 
are his tharforc vnto him be all honore and 
prayse for ever and ever. 

Breather I reseaved your letcr whearin 
you wrott of dangers that you have had in 
your Countrie whearin god hafh prscrved 
you and soe he will all them that truly 
trust in him, you wrott to vnderstand of 
the course of our Cuntrie it was never by 
my time soe dangprouse as now it is for 
it is proclaymed open warrs betmxt Eng- 
land and Scottland, and our most gracious 
King Charles is gone into Scottland with 
30 or 40 thousand of the traynors as the 
report doeth goe ar gon with him and thare 
are 40 or 50 of a band ar prickt vpon evcrie 
Captines boocke and doe stand at an 
howers w^aming vpon pa}Ti of death thare 
be them prickt whous li^dngs is worth 
200£ a yeare and vpward and thare be 
suplyes apoynted to fill vp the Captins 
boock agayn as sowne as they ar gone it is 
much feared that we have manic danger- 
ouse cnimies but if god be with vs we 
feare not whoe is agaynst us. you wrott 
vnto me to send you a laboring man or to 
and I have spoken vnto divers to goe and 



1859.] 



Henry Woleoit and Ms Children. 



147 



them that be good workmen and can get 
theyer living heaie ar fearfull to go to seae 
for feaie they shall not live to com to your 
land, but wear it not for the danger of the 
seas you mought have inough. 

Broather my wife and chilldren desiieth 
to be remembred vnto your wife and chill- 
dren and we doe daydye praye for your 
proqperitie besiching the Allmighti god to 
blese TB all and send ts his kingdom of 
giaae and the kingdom of glorie in heaven 
through Jesus Christ our only saviour and 
ledemer. Amen. 

Brother I praye you to return me yoiir 
answer conseming the land what shall be 
dune in it wheather I shall mak an enter 
vpon it in your bchalfe vntill you can com 
or send over, for it is bowses much of it 
and must be repayred or otherwise it will 
goe in decaye. 

Broather you wrott conseming the teach- 
ing of the word, it is not soe much taught 
as it was when you lyved heare for thar is 
no lectuarie vsed in no place and but on 
sermon vpon the sabath day, and in manie 
places on sermon in a month and skarse 
that wheaifore manie doc feare that the 
Lord hath ordayned a punishment for it, 
soe I end and rest your Loving brother to 
the utermost of my power vntill death. 

John Wollcott. 

I have writt vnto you at this time 3 let- 
ters becaus if on miscari the other may 
com to your hands, my sonne John is not 
com hom from the Lidens [Indies]. 

jfb my Loving brother 
Hennory WiAleott 
dioelUiig in Winsor 
by quenattecoU riexter 
in Nu England gitie 
these I pray you. 



ffrom Wellington the 20th March 1641 

Loving and kind kinsman Henrie Woll- 
cott my kind love and best respects to you 
remembered with very kind love to your 
second selfe and to all the rest of my Cozens 
In generrale remembered Hoping in the lord 
you are all in good health, as we all were 
at the present writinge hereof praysed be 
God for it : These few lines are to certifie 
you that I have reseavcd your letter by 
your Brother in law Mr Joseph Newberrie 
and I understand that you have not re- 
seaved any letter from me I sent to you the 
last yere and divers letters before and never 



had noe retume : my brother John we have 
had no nuse from him since my Uncle was 
here It hath pleased God to set a great De- 
struction amongst us here in our land both 
in Church and State that men as the scrip- 
ture sath hath bin almost at there wits end 
for noe Turkish slavery can be worse than 
hath bin Inflicted over us we have bin 
robed and stript of all o\ir goods both with- 
in doorcs and without and leade away cap^ 
tive from house and harbor and like to 
suffer death but prayse god that he hath 
not given us over to the wiUs of our Ad- 
versari for then we had bin overwhelmed : 
Cozen soe it is we are removed from. Yeans 
to Wellington at Micklemas last and my 
ffather and mother doth live in the house 
that was my Uncles Chr Wollcott and I 
and my -wife dotji live with them my Uncle 
Wollcott is dead for 3 yeres since If your 
ffather or you plese to com over to dispose 
of what is here there may be sales men foimd 
but Estates doe goe at verie low value that 
formerly they have bin for since the Trubles 
did arise not any Estate was able to make 
good the charges that went out of it by a 
greate dcale one hundred pound in purse 
that could be saved to deale over hath bin 
more work then 2 Hundred pounds pr 
Annum I doe not goe to underwrite any 
thinge you have but I spcake really as you 
shall find if you come into England Cozen 
J£ you have any occasion to make use of 
me I shall be rcadic and willing to doe you 
the best service that lieth in my small 
power I have writen to you 2 other letters 
at this time desiringc to have Answeres 
from them as soone as may be soe in som 
hast and no lessc love I rest 
AUwaies your Loved Kinsman till Deaths 

Hugh Wollcott.* 
To my verie 
Lovinge Kinsman 
Jlenrie Wollcott 
Junior at Winsor 
in Connect icott 
in New EngUmd 
give these, 

Mr. Wolcott continued an honored reei^ 
dent of Windsor until his death, which 



1 The siMilliDg of the family name (as was ufoal in 
thoM dnys) waa Tery variable ; we find not leas than 
a dozen forms. It is giren three different ways, in 
the signature, the seal, and the superscription, of the 
same letter. The traditional pronunciation, in the 
family, of the penultimate Towel, gi?es it the sound 
ofo in Wolf. 



148 



Henry Woleott and Ms Children. 



[April, 



took place May 80, 16&5. His Will was 
dictated on the day of his death, and was 
proved October 4.* The inventory of his 
estate amounted (exclusive of property in 
England) to £764, 8s. lOd., — ^an illustra- 
tion of the fact, that many early adven- 
turers expended more in making settle- 
ments in Connecticut, than the property 
so improved was worth. 

♦'This year (1655)," says Trumbull, 
« died Henry Woleott, Esq., in the 78th 
year of his age. He was the owner of a 

1 It reads as follows : 

The last Will of Henry Woleott, late of Wind- 
tor, deceased, 

Tbs thirtieth of May, 1685, I, HiirftT Woloott, 
sick of body, but of perfect memory, do make and 
ordain this my last will and testament, in manner 
and form following. 

First. I commend my sonl to God my maker, 
hoping assuredly through the only merit of Jesus 
Christ my SaTiour, to he a partaker of llfie eTerlast- 
log ; and I commend my body to the earth, whereof 
it was made. 

I will that my wife shall hare all my house lot, 
orchard, g rden, hop-yard and my lot in Plymouth 
meadow, during the term of her natural life. Also, 
I giTe unto my wiie two of my cows, and half the 
household goods in my dwelling house. 

Also, I leave my land in England to Henry my 
eldest son , without encumbrances. Also, I give unto 
him my two books of martyrs. 

Also, I give to Christopher my second son, my lot 
la the Great meadow, — and also, my house lot and 
houseing upon it, after the death of my wife, he pay- 
ing out of it thirty pounds, after my wife's decease, 
as I shall hereafter appoint. 

Also, I glre to George my third son, the Ats 
pounds he owes me, and fiTe pounds more. 

Also, I gire to Simon, my younge«t son, all my 
land on the easterly side of the Great River and also 
my lot at Arramonets. 

Also, to the children of Henry, my eldest son, fiTe 
pounds to Henry the eldest of them, and to the rest 
of them forty shillings apiece. 

I gire all the rest of my goods to be equally diyided 
amongst all my children. 

Also, I appoint Henry Woleott, my son, to be 
'orerseer of thli^ my will and testament. 

Also, my will is, that Christopher, my son, shall 
•ha^e my lot In Plymouth meadow, alter the decease 
of my wife. 

My will is that my debts shall be first paid. 

October 4, 1685. The above written being 
testified to the Court by Mr. Henry Woleott, 
upon oath, and by Mr. Wicbfteld to be the 
last will and testament of Mr. Henry Woleott, 
senior, deceased, the Court approbated of the 
•MUM, and ordered it to be recorded. 

JOHX CvLUCK, Sicretary. 



good estate in Somersetshire, in England. 
His youth, it is said, was spent in gaiety 
and country pastimes; but afterwards, 
under the instructions of Mr. Edward 
Elton, his mind was entirely changed, and 
turned to the sincere love and practice of 
religion. As the Puritans were then 
treated with great severity, he sold about 
£8,000 worth of estate in England, and 
prepared for a removal into America.* 
He came into New England with Mr. 
Warham, in May 1630, and settled first 
at Dorchester, in Massachusetts. In 1636, 
he removed to Windsor, and was one of 
the principal planters of that town. He 
was chosen into the magistracy in 1643, 
and continued in it until his death. He 
left an estate in England, which rented at 
about £60 a year, which the family for 
some time enjoyed ; but was aft;erwards 
sold. After his decease, some one of his 
descendants was annually chosen into the 
magistracy, for a term of nearly eighty 
years. Some of them have been mem- 
bers of the Assembly, Judges of the Supe- 
rior Court, or magistrates, from the first 
settlement of the colony to this time, 
during the term of more than a century 
and a half.— A. D. 1797." 

Over the graves of Henry Woleott, 
and Elizabeth, his wife, there is an arched 
monument of brown stone, wrought by 
their son-in-law, Matthew Griswold ; the 
inscriptions being on the opposite sides : 

Here under lyeth the body of 
Henry Wolcot sometimes a Maies> 

TRATE of this JURISDICTION WHO 
DYED YE 30th DAY OF MaY 

*^vr^ ( SALUTIS 1655 

^^^^i^TATIS77 

Here under lyeth the body of 
Elizabeth Wolcot who dyed yk 
7th day of July 

SALUTIS 1655 



ANNO 



i 



iETATIS 73 



s On examining the MS. of Dr. Trumbull, depositod 
in the Library of Tale College, we dieeovered that 
the authority for his statement was a letter from 
OoT. Roger Woleott to the ReT. Mr. Prince, of Bos- 
ton, dated Aug. 15, 1764, to which there Is a refer- 
ence ; and on exami > g the remnant of Mr. Princess 
Library, we find that thb letter shared the fiats of 
most of its valuable manuscripts. 



1859.] 



Henry Wokotl and Ms Childrm. 



149 



Aroand it are the monaments of their 
children, and children's children. The 
cemetery lies in the rear of the First Con- 
gregational Charch, oh the high northern 
bank of Farmington River ; the railroad 
passes on its western side. Here these 
worthy Pilgrims and their companions in 
tribulation, and in the kingdom and 
patience of Jesus Christ, found a resting- 
place from their wanderings and toils; 
thej rest from their labors, and their 
works do fc^ow them. 

We add, from our ancient " Chrono- 
logie," the simple statement which follows 
the record of their death, and which is of 
more worth than all other history and 
eulogy,— 

** These both dyed in hope and Ly 
buryed under one Tomb in Windsor" 

The children of Henry and Elisabeth 
Wolcott were, 

I. John. He was baptized Oct 1, 
1607 ; was living in England in 16S1, and 
apparently never emigrated to America. 
He had died without issue previous to the 
date of his father's vrill, in 1655. The 
Family Record makes no mention of him. 

n. Anna. She came over with her 
sister and youngest brother, after the 
family had become settled. She married, 
Oct 16, 1646, Mr. Matthew Griswold, 
who resided in Windsor, and was a Dep- 
uty to the General Court He afterwards 
removed to Saybrook, in the capacity of 
Agent for Gov. Fenwick. He subse- 
quently purchased a large estate in 
Blackball, a pleasant part of Lyme, which 
has now been the seat of the Griswold 
family for more than two centuries. He 
gave the name to the town, of which he 
was the first inhabitant, in honor of Lyme 
Regis, the place of his nativity in Eng- 
land. He was a stone-cutter by trade, 
and wrought the tombstone of his father- 
in-law, Henry Wolcott He died at the 
age of 96 years, and was buried in Say- 
brook ; but his grave is unknown. 

HL Henry. He was born Jan. 21, 
1610 (O.S.) i.e., 1611 (N.S.)* He came 

1 He wag iLMCarof a «Aorf hand^ whleh has panlad 



with his parents, and was admitted a free- 
man by the General Court of Boston, 
April 1, 1634, which shows that he was at 
that time a member of the Dorchester 
Church. He removed, with the family, to 
Windsor, in 1636, where hp married, Nov. 
18, 1641, Sarah, daughter of Mr. Thomas 
Newberry. He was an importing mer- 
chant, and his ledger has been preserved. 
He appears to have been in England, on 
business, in the spring of 1654. He was 
engaged in public life, and held various 
appointments. He was one of the nine- 
teen gentlemen prominent in the Colony, 
who were named in the Charter of Con- 
necticut. He was elected a member of 

OS in Bereral docamaDta, and to which wa did soft 
imagine that any liey could erer ba found. Among 
tha papert deposited in tlie Library of the Conn. 
Hiatorlcal Society, some years since, was a stout lit- 
tle tellum-coTered volume of nearly 400 pages, 
closely written in this hand, with no clue to the sub- 
ject nor to the writer's name. It lay unnoticed 
until a little more than a year ago, when it attracted 
the attention of J. Hammond Trumbull, Esq., who is 
as ingenious in such matters as he is perwrering in 
his researches. He succeeded in deciphering it, and 
found it to consist of notes of sermons and lectures, 
delirered in Windsor and Hartford, between April, 

1688, and Hay« 1641, in regular course. The writer*s 
name is not giren, but his birthday is noted on the 
first leaf of the volume, and this and other facta 
identify him as Henry Wolcott, Jr. ; a&d it is a curi- 
ous foct that the only record of his birth is found 
among these hieroglyphics, and the date has been 
unknown till now. 

These notes g^?e the dates, texts, and general out- 
lines of the discourses of the Rer. Messrs. Warham 
and Huit, in Windsor, and of the Rer. Messrs. 
Hooiier and Stone, in Hartford, during the sessions 
of the Qeneral and Particular Courts. Among the 
former is one delivered by Mr. Warham, Nov. 17, 
1640, ^'at the betrothing of Benedict Alvortl and 
Abraham Randall," from the text, Eph. 6 : 11, *< Put 
on the whole armor of Qod, that ye may be able to 
st«nd agHlDSt the wiles of the de? 11." The preacher 
'^ improved " the theme, ^* for teaching the betrothed 
lovers that marriage is a tcar-faring condition," and 
** for reproof to those who think nothing is needed for 
marriage but the consent of the parents." In the 
face of these solemn admonitions, it appears from 
the Windsor records that both were duly married 
before the expiration of the year-— the happy Bene- 
diet to Joan Newton, and the other to Mury Ware. 

Among the latter discourses, are Mr. Hooker's two 
Election Sermons^ of May 31, 1683, and April 11, 

1689. Of the first, from the text. Dent. 1 : 18, Mr. 
Trumbull gives an ab:itract, of deep interest, as show- 
ing the ^^ politics '* which were preached by the 
ablest and l)cst of the Puritan Fathers. 



160 



Hearg WolcMtmdhis CUldren. 



[Apbii^ 



the Home of I>ep«tie0 in 1660, and n 
member of the Hotuw of Magbtarates in 
1662, and sacceauvely after until his 
death. In 1669 the General Assembly 
made him a grant of 800 acres of land. 
He died July 12, 1680. His widow died 
July 16, 1684. Her wardrobe, an inven* 
tory of which exists among the family 
papers, and is a curiosity, was appraised 
at nearly £100 steriing. 

IV. George. He was made a free- 
man by the General Court of Connecti- 
cut, May 21, 1657. He settled in Weath- 
ersfield, and married Elizabeth Treat 
His history is more obscure than that of 
his brothers. 

V. Christopher. The family home- 
stead in Windsor was bequeathed to him 
by his father. He died, unmarried, Sept 
7, 1662. By his will nuncupative, his 
estate was divided among his brothers and 
sisters, Henry receiving the larger share. 

YI. Mary. She married, June 25, 
1646, Job Drake, of Windsor. She and 
her husband died, the same day. Sept 16, 
1649. 

VII. Simon. He was bom about the 
year 1625. He was admitted a freeman 
in 1654. He married, (1st) March 19, 
1656-7, Joanna, daughter of Aaron Cook, 
one of the first settlers of Windsor. Their 
married life was brief; she died April 27, 
1 65 7, at the age of 1 8 years. He married, 
(2d} Oct 17, 1661, Martha Pitkin, de- 
scribed in the Windsor Records as ^ late 
from England." She was the «ster of 
Mr. William Pitkin, of East Hartford, 
Attorney General and Treasurer of the 
Colony. She is represented to have been 
a superior lady, having received an ac- 
complished education in England. In an 
obituary notice of one of her sons, pub- 
lished in 1767, she is described as "a 
woman of eminent good sense, virtue, and 
piety.*' She is said to have come on a 
visit to her brother, and been induced to 
remain by the marriage proposal which 
she received, which was backed by the 
urgent wishes of some of the leading Col- 
onists. 



A few yean after this marriage, Mr. 
Simon Wolcott sold his4>lace in Windsor, 
and purchased a farm in Simsbury, to which 
he removed. His name appears on the 
Simsbury Records, as commander of the 
train-band, and selectman. It proved an 
unfortunate investment, as the settlers 
were driven from the place by the Indians 
in 1676, and his property was destroyed. 
He remained a few years in Windsor, and 
in 1680 settled on his land on the East side 
of the Connecticut River, in the present 
town of South Windsor. He died in 
1687, and was buried in Windsor Church 
yard. His death was hastened by 
gloomy anticipations of the oppression 
and suffering which awaited the Colonists 
under the coming administration of Sir 
Edmund Andross, — ^fears which, as the 
result proved, were not wholly groundless. 
His widow married, in 1689, Mr. David 
Clark, one of the leading men in the 
Colony; she died in 1719.^ 

From Simon and Martha Wolcott have 
sprung those of the family who were sub- 
sequently most known in the annals of 
Connecticut; three of their descendants 
in the male line, in successive generations, 
and others in collateral lines, have been 
called to the Governor's Chair.* 

1 Tbe followiog are copies of their epitapha : 

Hera lyes waiting 

fbr ye retorraotioD 

of the Just thfi body of 

Mr BiKON WOLOOR 

who dyed Septcm 

ye 11th 1687 aged 

62 years. 

Hera lyeth sleep 

ing in Jesus ye Bo 

dy of Mes Mak 

THA Class Alies 

Wolcott who 

Died Octr ye 13 

1719 Aged 80 Tears. 

[From Old South Windsor Oborch Yard.] 

* Among the QoTernors of ConneeUcut here re- 
ferred to, are Rooss WoLcott, Oliysb Wolcott, the 
elder, Ourxs Wolcott, the younger, Hatthsw 
QsnwoLD, the second, Roass Osi8wou», and Wil- 
UAK Woloott Kllswostb. SeTersi of the fiunlly 
hate been Judges, and have held other ollloes of dril 
trust. The writer of this article appean to rapreeent 
the clergy almost alone ; and his eocleslastical pedi- 
gree is, perhaps, to be traced through his mother, 
(Rachel M.,) who was the youngest daughter of the 
BeT. Dr. MeClnra, of Eist Windsor, and the grand- 
danghter of the Bsv. Dr. PomMoy, af Hehiwi. 



1869. J CongregaUonoMsm in Western New York. 151 



CONGREGATIONALISM IN WESTERN NEW YORK.* 

BT RET. JAMES H. DILL, BPENCERFORT, N. T. 

Rev. James H. Hotchkin has pub- been Congregational; and 160, — two- 

lished a work entitled ** A History of fifths of the 896 surviving churches — now 

Western New York, and of the Presby- report themselves as Congregational 

terian Church in that Section," a volume churches. 

of six hundred pages ; a book which has Notwithstanding these facts, which one 

its merits and its defects. The main drift who undertakes to set forth the ascendan- 

of bis ecclesiastical history is, the ascen- dancy of Presbyterianism over Congrega- 

dancy there of Presbyterianism over-Con- tionalism ought to have ascertained, he 

gregationalism. heads each of the fifteen chapters of 

How far his title page is justified by the churches with the name of a certain Pres- 
contents of his book, may be judged l^ bytery, and calls Congregational churches 
the following facts : In several chapters Presbyterian. Of the Church in Holley, 
he gives an account of the early settlers, he says, ** at what period the Presbyterian 
most of whom were New Englanders, and Church was oi^anized is not known to 
Congregational in their preferences ; of the writer." He might have added ** and 
Uie early missionaries, missionary socie- never will be." . In fact, he tells us con- 
ties, ministers, churches, and ecclesiastical ceming Congregational churches con- 
bodies, most of which were Congregation- nected with Presbytery, that " these 
al ; and of the early revivals, the con- churches are in all respects Presbyterian, 
spicuous laborers in which were Congre- with the exception that their sessions 
gational ministers. A large part of his consist of the body of the brethren of 
book is, in fact, a history of Congrega- competent age, instead of a bench of el- 
tionalism in Western New York, of which ders, chosen for the purpose of govem- 
he gives no hint on his title page, and ment, and set apart by certain formalities." 
which he uses as a convenient back- As if one should say that a square is in 
ground from which to set forth a Presby- all respects a circle, except wherein it 
terian figure. differs from it The radical idea of Pres- 

Still further : In fifteen, out of his thirty- byterianism is eldership — the govem- 

six chapters, he gives an account of 436 ment of elders. The radical idea of 

churches, and although he is very careful, Congregationalism is the brotherhood — 

when he can, to tell us ** this church was government by the membership, 
organized as a Presbyterian church," yet From such an inaccurate history, based 

there are not 100, of the 436, which he on such mistaken conceptions, and convey- 

tells us were so organized. Forty of the ing so unfair an impression — which ought 

original number are extinct Records to be corrected by a volume of equal size 

show that about 200 have at some time — ^I proceed to give a brief notice of 

"T"— -— -—— -- — : Congregationalism in Western 

1 Thle Articltf u the subRtance of an addresf pro- ^r tr 

wmtieed by Rer. Jameii H. Dill, before the General -NEW YORK. I shall take the same bouu- 

AtMdaeion of New Tork, at its Quarter Ceotarj daries as Mr. Hotchkin. At the early pe- 

Meeting at Rorhetter, Sept. 22, 1868. The Address, ^^^ \^ ^^Jch our history commences, 1 790, 

•omewbat enlarged and with additional notes, is ,„ -^.t -«r i i « i .i 

pnbiuhed in a pamphlet form, concurrently with the Western New York comprehended the 

preMnt dat« ; and may be had of the author. mOSt of the State west of the liudson 



152 



OmgregatiomXmn in Weriem New York. [Afbo^ 



BiTer. l%ii hiitorj is divided into three 
marked periods, which I shall designate 
respectively as thk rise, the decline, 
AND THE REVIVAL of the Congregational 
interest in this section. 

L The Rise and EstMiskment of Con- 
ffregational Churches in this Region; from 
1790 to about 1815. 

This land was originally granted by the 
mother country to the Colonies of New 
England. The conflicting claims of New 
York and Massachusetts to this territory 
were settled by the grant of pre-emption 
right on the part of New York, to the 
State of Manachusetts. This pre-emp- 
tion right was purchased of Massachusetts 
by New England men, Messrs. Phelps 
and Gorham ; and by them the Indian 
title to a large portion of the soil was ex- 
tingubhed ; so that it was at an early day 
advertised and offered for sale in New 
- England, in exchange for cultivated farms. 
The richness and the beauty of this region 
had been reported throughout the East 
by the returned soldiers of Gen. Sullivan's 
army, and their statements, together with 
the efforts of Messrs. Phelps and Grorham, 
soon awakened a strong desire among the 
New England farmers to exchange their 
rocky fields for the fertile plains of the 
West. Hence most of the early settlers 
of this region were New Englanders, and 
brought with them their New England 
preferences. 

As in every new country, so in this, the 
establishment and character of religious 
institutions depend not only on the pre- 
ferences of the settlers, but on the insti- 
tutions of those Christians at the East 
who care for them. At that early day, 
all those missionary societies which sent 
missionaries into this region were Congre- 
gational bodies, with the single exception 
of the General Assembly's Board of Mis- 
sions ; and previous to 1814 the old Mis- 
sionary Society of Conn^ticut performed 
threefold more labor here, than that Board. 
Of those New England bodies which sent 
missionaries here, there were the General 
Association of Connecticut, commencing 



aseariy as 1788; the Connecticut Mis- 
sionary Society, organized in 1798, and 
previous to 1814 expending labor equal 
to that of one minister for twen^ yean ; 
the Boston Missionary Society, organized 
1787; the Massachusetts Missionary So- 
ciety, 1799; Berkshire and Columbia 
Missionary Society, 1798; New Hamp- 
shire Missionary Society, 1801 ; and the 
Hampshire Missionaiy Society, 1802. 

These Congregational Societies con- 
centrated their efforts on this then re- 
cently opened wilderness, while as yet the 
other societies, which after 1814 labored 
here, and into which the Pred)3rterian 
element entered, had not come into exist- 
ence. The Domestic Missionaiy Society 
was not organized until 1816 ; the United 
Domestic Missionary Society in New 
York City, not until 1824 ; and the Am- 
erican Home Missionary Society not until 
1826. 

As the first settlers were from New 
England} and, with the mngle exception 
named, the first missionary societies which 
cared for them, Congregational, so were 
the first missionaries, the first churches 
organized, the first ministers settled, the 
first ordinations, installations, and ecdes- 
iastioal bodies here, CongregationaL All 
this is conceded by Mr. Hotchkin. 

In 1812, there were extending over the 
whole territory then settled, and some- 
what east of it, the following Congrega- 
tional Associations, embracing most of the 
churches and ministers in Western New 
York : 

An Association in the vicinity of Sara- 
toga, and the Morris County Associated 
Presbytery in the northern part of New 
Jersey, which Mr. Hotchkin says was 
Congregational in its principles and prac- 
tice. " Subsequently," he says, " on ac- 
count of the increase of the body in the 
number of its ministers and churches, a 
division took place, and the Westchester 
Associated Presbytery was organized; 
which Associated Presbyteries for a time 
embraced a large number of ministers 
and churches in the lower counties of 



1859.] 



J*. _»• 




^1 t'> 'n.'i 



m Western Ifm York. 



163 



New York, and adjacent parts of New 
Jersey." The Northern Asociated Pres- 
bytery; the Black RiTer Association; 
the Oneida Association, occupying the 
eastern portion of what is here regarded 
as Western New York ; the Middle Asso- 
ciation, occupying the middle portion; 
tlie Ontario Association, occupying the 
western portion ; the Union Association, 
Ibrmed from the Oneida ; and the Sus- 
quehanna, or Lozeme Association, occu- 
pying the southern portion, bordering on 
and extending into PennsyWania. 

These associations, with their ministers 
and churches, had the ground ; and there 
was every reason and prospect, fitxn pur- 
chase, settlement, pre-occupancy, cultiva- 
tion, and thorough Oiganiaation, that 
Western New York would become as 
characteristically Congregational as New 
Englaiyl.^ 

The entire number of Congregational 

> ThcM Coogxvfitioiiml AnoeUtloiii wert largt 
bodlM of miniaton and ehorohcf , orgaalMNl to mcot 
tho wantf of th« ohorehM aod minifltcrt aliwdj on 
tho groond, whilt, m thm followiog UeU will Khow, 
tbo lioe of Pratbjrterlct which wat thrott oat into 
thia tarritory wat, bj mioate sabdiTltloo, on tho 
ehnreh extendon plan, and f6r ehorehM which tlicy 
oalj hoped ro havo. It was a dooominational moTo- 
nent, natira to tba •ystam, and wholly ft»«ign to 
the •jftam on which it encroachad. 

In 1802 we find the PrMbjtery of Albany eootain- 
iag 14 miniaten. Tlte aame year, as the Minntea of 
the General Aaeembly tell vs, the Presbytery of Al- 
bany was diTided into thiee bodies, tIs : the Presby- 
tery of Albany, the Presbytery of Colombia, and the 
Presbytery of Oneida; **to which dirislon,** they 
tall OS, **they were partlenlarly Infloenced by the 
presnare of eirenoutances." The Prssbyteiy of 
Oneida, Uien embraced all the territory of the State 
ef New TorIc, west of Otsego and Herltimer eoantlea, 
and had not, at its organisation, a single ehoreh In 
Western New York connected with It, and bat two 
ministers resident in that territory. The next year, 
1808, these three Presbyteries were constltated a 
Synod— the Synod of Albany. In 1806, the Prssby- 
tery of Oneida was dlrided, and the Presbytery of 
Genera set ap, embracing all New Torlc west of Oneida 
and Ohenango coantles, hot baring only fbar minis- 
Isrs connected with it, and In 1800 only eight Pres- 
byterian ministers coooeeted with It In 1810, the 
Presbytery of OencTa and the Middle Association, 
which had Joined the Albany Synod, were dirided 
Into the Presbyteries of Geneva, Oi^aga, and Onon- 
daga, and In 1811, they were eenstUated a Synod— 
the Synod of Geneva. 



VOL. I. 



80 



ministers and chnrches embraeed in tibsM 
associations, I have not at present tlie 
means of stating. I find record, howevert 
of 19 Congregational churches organised 
previous to 1800, and of 60 others organ- 
ised previous to 1815 ; while on the same 
ground I find no record of more than 88 
Presbyterian churches organised before 
1815, and of only four more before 1800 ; 
and so strong were the early tendencies 
to Congregationalism, that these four 
churches, viz: Binghampton, Elmira* 
Lima, and Lakeville, oiganised by a mis- 
sionary of the General Assemblylb Board 
in 1 795, were resuscitated or re-organised 
as Congregational churches. 

From this picture of prosperity, we 
turn 

IL To a Period of Deelime, which Mr. 
Hotchkin sets forth. Look, first, at the 
focts indicating, and secondly, at the 
causes bringing about, this decline of tha 
Congregational interest 

The Ontario Association, the Middle 
Association, the Union Association, and 
ihe Susquehanna, have become dissolved; 
the most of the Congregational ministers 
have joined Presbytery; many of the 
chnrches have been accommodated with 
a seat in Presbytery, and some of the 
churches have adopted the Presbyterian 
form of government. 

These associations did not dwindle and 
die from lack of numbers and life, bnt 
became absorbed by several foeble Prea> 
byteries — seven lean kine swallowing the 
seven fot kine — and Presbyterianism sud- 
denly bringing itself into foil and rounded 
proportions. 

Several causes may be enumerated as 
conspiring to bring about the absorption 
of Congr^ational churches and ministers 
into Presbyterianism, which marks the 
second period of our history. The Plan 
of Union, formed in 1801, between the 
General Assembly and the General Asso- 
ciation of the State of Connecticut,— a 
plan of union which, when abrogated by 
the General Assembly in 1837, was justly 
pronounced **nneonstitutionaloatliepa^ 



ISA 



(htigregtikmlimn m Wukm Nm Tmrh [Amb» 



ol 41m AmbUj, and totally daslilate of 
antfaority as proceading from the General 
Afrialion of Connecticaty which had no 
paver to kgblate in such cases, and 
espadally lo enact laws regulating 
ctorehes not within her linuts." This 
l^lan of onion dissuaded CongregationaUstB 
ia the new setdeDients from eariTing 
oat their prefiBrenoes in the organiza- 
tion of churches, and, in its 4th Article, 
offered to Congregational churches the 
bait of a seat in Presbytery. As the 
lesnlt of this, many Congregational 
olmrches^Te been taken in. 
. At a meeting in Geneva, in 1808 or 
1805, of a newly erected Presbjrtery, a 
flseeting consisting of three ministers and 
seven elders, the following question was 
discussed, and decided in the affirmative : 
^ Can the Presbytery consistently Receive 
aa a oonstitaent member of their body a 
■iaisfeer belonging to an Association, 
without his discontinuing his connection 
with the Association?" << This decision," 
iays Mr. Hotohkiny *'was approved by 
Synod, and the principle was considered 
as established." ** At the present time," 
he says, ^'it would be considered by most 
ecclesiastical bodies as an incorrect de- 
dtton. But whether the decision of this 
question by Presbytery was correct, or 
otherwi8e,Jt undoubtedly laid the founda- 
tion for the preponderance of the Presby. 
terian interest, which eveniually prev- 
ailed in Western New Yoric" 

Ko doubt it did. The small Presby- 
teries were anxious for members, and it 
doubtless seemed perfectly consistent with 
the plan of union made by the G^eral 
Assembly which accommodated Congre- 
gational churches with a seat in Presby- 
tery, while they retained their Congrega- 
tional government, for the Presbytery to 
accommodate their ministers with a seat 
m Presbytery, while they still retained 
their connection with a Congregational 
Association. Had the Associations of 
that day been equally accommodating, 
and their Presbyterian brethren equally 
I, they asight easily have ab* 



sorbedtkePiesbyteiaasb AftertlMpmk 
ciple was establfahed, and the meetiags of 
Presbytery were swoUen by the laiga 
accession of Congregational aaeasben^ 
there was fi»lt to be a difficulty among the 
ministers abont atte n d ing so many annual 
meetings as were provided fiv by Aaso- 
dations and Presbyteries, aad ai tha 
result, the Associations were diaolved. 

But there was another step taken in 
the progress of the {diaat and absorbing 
Ptesbyterianismofthatday. The Synod 
of Albany, in 1808, accdmmodated tha 
Middle Awsociation of miaisteia and 
churches entire, with a seat in Synod, aa 
constituent members thereol^ *< assuring 
them," as Mr. Hotchkin says, **of liia 
cheerfulness of the Synod to leave their 
churches undisturbed in the adminia- 
tration of their own govemmenti until 
they, should be better acquain<te(^ witli 
the Presbyterian mode, and voluntarily 
adopt it" No doubt this was a cheerfbl 
time, — ^receiving an accession of 17 min- 
isters, and more churches. Thb action 
was laid before the General Assembly at 
its next meeting, and by them approved. 
The Presbytery had acted, the Synod 
had acted, and now the Greneral 
bly, in 1810, divides up the Middle 
sociation into three Presbyteries ; and so 
the Middle Association disappears 

The frdlure of an effort, in 1810, to 
form a Greneral Association, worked a 
decline of the Congregational interest. 
Feeling the need of such a bond of union 
as was provided in New England by the 
State Associations, a Convention was 
called, and assembled on the first Thuie- 
day of July, 1810, in Clinton, Oneida 
County, to consider the expediency of 
forming such an Association, and if 
deemed best, to take such initiatoiy 
steps as should be necessary. This Con- 
vention was attended by Bev. Messrs. 
James H. Hotchkin, John Niles, and H. 
R. Powell, delegates from Ontario Asso- 
ciation, and by others from Oneida, Black 
Biver, Union, Luaeme, and Sarataga 
Associations, and from the NerthaMi Ai^^ 



1669.] Oongrtgaiiomlum m Watlem Nem Turk. 



1€5 



nttiii|^ flOfliiNjii^ly lofwards ui 
eal vnioii witii the Fked>jteriaiifl, that no 
aeliai wm tdcen, and the ConTention 
WW dianlTed. ^ The resolt of the meet- 
ing of tiui CoDTention/' Mr. Hotchkin 
Mji, ^ vndoiditedly hastened the union of 
tiie Gongr^donal miniflten and church- 
ei widi the Pr Mb yt e rian Church." 

The process of absorption went on. 
Thm Prasbyterianim of that day was 
vwy aoeoounodadng. It did not go by 
tiie Book; and since the Congregational- 
isli «w bow ready they were, from Pree- 
bytny up to Assembly, to make any 
Mcrifice of their principles of ecdesiasdf 
est goremment; since, they saw Congre- 
gational clrarohes, and members of Asso- 
ciiitioBS, welcomed into Synod, and mem- 
bert of their churches on the floor of 
General Assembly ; and since they then, 
m nom^ sjrmpathized in doctrinal faith, 
tiiey had some reason for thinking that 
P k ^byt eriamsm would soon become 
aitqgct h er accommodated to the Congre- 
gational syrtem. But time proTes that 
tiiey .reckoned without dieir host, and did 
not oonsider the difference between the 
genius of Presbyterianism and that of 
C on g regationalism, nor the difference 
between Presbyterianism weak and Pres- 
byterianism strong. 

The Presbyterians had now secured 
to themselTes the most of the large cen- 
tral churches along the track to the more 
western p(»*tions of the State. New 
settlers and new ministers came under a 
Presbyterian influence in passing through 
New York, Albany, Utica, Auburn, and 
Greneva; or Binghampton and £lmira. 
The Presbyterian element had entered 
into Hqpe Missionary Societies in New 
York. A Presbyterian Theological Sem- 
inary was established in Auburn, sending 
out its candidates for the ministry. The 
rtligioos newspapers which circulated 
among the churches were Presbyterian ; 
tlie agents which risited them, Presbyte- 
rian. Tlie old Connecticut Missionary 

its missionariet 



fiom tins field, and neiidmg tlMoi furAsf 
west; and misrepresentatiotts of the 
people of Western New York, and of the 
Coi^gregatiottal churches and ministm 
there, were studiously and conataotiy 
made by men who visited New £n^and ; 
that die population of Western New 
York was not sufficiently homogeneooi^ 
intelligent and princi|ded to be organized 
into Congregational churches ; tibat while 
it would do TOiy well for New £ng!and, 
the people here needed a stronger gov- 
ernment; and moreorer, it was whispered 
that Congregational churches and mini^ 
ters out here, (meaning those that would 
not join Presbytery,) were rery different 
fitmi what they were in New England ; 
that they were irregular in doctrine and 
in order. So diligently, and so long were 
diese slanders pp& the people and on the 
Congregationalism of Western New Yoik 
circulated in New England, that af^r a 
while, and for some years, a sentiment 
was formed in the more conserratiTe 
minds, that the people here were lit- 
tle less than barbarians, and that tbose 
Congregationalists who would not coalesce 
with Presbyterians were of a degenerate 
sort 

Such slanders did their work, and fbr 
a time served their purpose. But now 
that the minds of New Englanders are 
disabused of them, and have come to un- 
derstand the nondescript ecdesiasdeal 
system, and absorbing motive, from which 
they emanated, they are slowly, but sure- 
ly, working out their retribution. Radi« 
cally different as are these two systems of 
church government, admitting no natural 
ecclesiasdcal union, yet there is no neces- 
sity for conflict between them. Both are 
one in doctrine. The field is wide enough* 
for alL Each system has its own radical 
idea of ecclesiasiasttcal policy. Let each 
be foitbful to itself, and not sacrifice its 
standard of professed principles for the 
sake of absorbing the other, and there 
will be no cause for conflict We con- 
cede to Presbyterians many excellencies 
and good works as a Christian denomina- 



166 



OmfpregMmafum in Western Ntm Ycri. [Afbq^ 



Hob. latibarptwpenfefire rqoioe, and 
]N»)r for thair inemae. . 

I liave enmDentod the caiues which 
iporiced in this ragioD a decline of the 
Ooa gi a ga t i oiial and an ascendancy of the 
Fk«ab3rterian interest They are matters 
af history. Time will bring them fhlly to 
Gght^-Hnft them, and disi^prove of many 
ef tiiem. The same experiment will 
sever be repeated. Never again will 
Congregational Christians yield to them, 
nor Presbyterian Christians try theoL 
Until that day axriTes, when all denomi- 
nations shall cease among Christians — 
which certainly is not now, nor desirable 
in the present ^rpe of Christianity — Con- 
gragatiooalists will be Congregationalists, 
Presbjrtorians will be Presbyterians, and 
love each other all the more for it The 
denominational plan of anion aims to 
lemove all diversities, and shape aU into 
one on its Procrustean bed. The Divine 
plan of anion aims to unite all in heart 
and living work, by nniting all in heart 
to God. Neither the New Testament 
nor Congr^;ationalism knows anything of 
Ike Churchy in the sense of a denomina- 
tion or sect T%e Church is either a local 
Church, or the whole body of believers 
throughout the worid. 

We turn now to our final topic in this 
sketch, via : the present 

IIL Period of Revival of the Congre- 
gational interest in Western New York. 
It sounds strangely, at the present day, to 
hear Western New Ycftk applied to 
territory further east than Canandaigua ; 
yet at an eariy day this phrase designated 
neariy the entire Stete. I will therefore 
give briefly the statistics for the State, 
leaving it to others who may follow to 
present more local focts. 

This General Association is made up 
of delegates from twelve District Associa- 
tions. These District Associations, viz: 
Oneida, Black River, Essex, St Law- 
rence, Western New Toric, Long Island, 
New York and Brooklyn, Ontario, Sns- 
qnehanna, Albany, the Puritan Aasocia- 
tioD of Allegany and Wyoming, and the 



Delaware Aasoeiatkwi, haw c o n n ected 
with them 187 churches and 191 miniatoa. 
Besides these associated churches, there 
are in the State about one hundred Con- 
gregational churches, which are not 
represented in any ecclesiast ic al body, 
and about 126 Congr^;ational churches 
connected with Presbytery; makittg in 
all more than 400 Congregational church- 
es now in our Stete. 

There is such a habit in certain quar- 
ters of calling our churches PreBbyterian^ 
and the stetistics published annually with 
the Minutes of the New General Aaseaa- 
bly, so rarely acknowledge the Congre- 
gational polity of many of the churches 
connected with them, that the entire 
number of Congregational churches can- 
not well be ascertained, without a tho- 
rough canvassing of the State. Taking 
the churches reported by the State 
Census of 1855 as Congregational, in 
connection with the canvass made in 
1854 by our Stete Association, and our 
own statistics, we make out about 425 
churches now administering their internal 
affairs on the Congregational principle of 
government On the same territory, the 
New General Assembly report tiiis year 
546 churches, which report includes, as 
no uninitiated person could imagine, 
about 125 Congregational churcbee, 
which fact taken into consideration, shows 
that the number of Congregational 
churches in our State, is not fiir from 
that of the New School Presbyterian, 
there being about 425 of each. 

Rochester is surrounded by Congre- 
gational churches: Brighton, Faiiport, 
Victor, Pittsford, East and West Bloom- 
6eld, Chili, Chun:hville, Riga, Bergen, 
two churches ; Henrietta, Greece. Spen- 
cerport, Clarkson, Holley, Millville, and 
Barre; and what are the now Presby- 
terian churches of Ogden, Brockport, 
Wheatland, Medina, Byron, Genesee, 
Le Roy, and others which might be 
named, but those which have been spirit- 
ed away fnm Congregationalism ?^ 



1859.] Congr^atiom^um in Wedem New York. 



167 



It is an eTidence of the deep-rooted 
hold which the Congr^ational system 
took in the soil of this State, that so many 
Congregational churches now exist in our 
State, and that so many of them, having 
Presb3rterian ministers, and connected 
with Presbytery, and with so many Pres- 
byterian agents circulating among them, 
haTe still retained their internal Congre- 
gational policy. 

This reviving of the Congregational 
system has been marked by the with- 
drawal of churches from Presbytery, and 
the establishment of new churches in the 
chief cities. The noble Church in Roch- 
ester, and others in Syracuse, Oswego, 
Albany, Owego, Elmira, Binghampton, 
Brooklyn, and New York City, are wit- 
nesses that the sons of New England 
among our people, have not ceased to love 
the free religious institutions of their 
Others. 

Time ibrbids me, and a residence of 
bnt a few years in the State has not qual- 
ified me, to develope, with any complete- 
ness, the causes which have worked the 
increase of Congregational interest of the 
present day. It is felt here ; it is felt 
throughout the West ; it is felt throughout 
New England. There might be men- 
tionedy among the operating causes, the 
organisation of this General Association 
of New York ; ^ the disruption of the 

SAhool Pretbjrtarians, when the tables are tamed oa 
them, mod an effort Is made to turn their charches 
ever to the Old School, see a remonstraore of mem. 
ben of OnUrlo Prrsbjiery, (N. 8.,) written '* to the 
aJnttfters and laymen of the Synod of Buffalo," (0. 
8.,)cone«mlnf the Church at Genetieo,and pubilnhed 
la the New York Svangells t, December 'c8, 1868. 

Mr. Hotehkin says of tliis Church, page 672 : " In 
ISOd, a number of the members of the Church " 
(Church of LakcTlUe,) ** who were emigrants from 
Oonaecticat, being dlssarisfled with the order of the 
Chnreh and Its pastor, requested letters of dismission, 
to form a Congregational Church. Their case was 
brought before the Presbytery of Genera, aod on the 
adrke of that body, tlielr request was granted, and 
tbaj were suberquently organised as a Congregation- 
al Chun:h, by Rer. Daniel Oliver, a missionary from 
Maasachttsetto. This i« the Church which has sue- 
nesirinn in the present Church of Geneseo. 

1 Oneida AsioeiatioD, at Its meeting in Lebanon, 
r, 1S88) Appointod Bev. Maain. Pindnr 



Pzesbyterian ehnrch, in 188 7, and the 
discussion which it originated ; the rising 
spirit of freedom in our land, and opposi* 
tion to complication with Slavery ; a bet* 
ter acquaintance and deeper 83rmpathy 
between Congregationalists in and out of 
New England ; publication of facts con- 
cerning the working of the Plan of Union ; 
a returning wave from Congregationalismi 
established in more Western States ; the 
establishment of Congr^ational newspa- 
pers in New England, in New York City, 
and in the West ; the increase of a de- 
nominational spirit among the New-School 
Presb^rterians ; and the meeting, in 1862, 
of the Albany Convention, which estab- 
lished the Church and Building Fund, 
exposed the perversion and disuse of the 
Plan of Union, and ratified its repudiation 
by Presbyterians — a Convention com^ 
posed of 461 ministers and laymen, of 
which number 802 were from New Eng- 
land. These were some of the influences 
which have worked the reaction from de- 
cline, and the reviving of Congregational 
interest which marks the third and pres- 
ent period of our history in Western 
New York. 

We have briefly noticed the Rise, the 
Decline, and the Revival of the Congre- 
gational interest in New York. The na- 
ture and complications of the case have 
compelled a reference to the movements 
of another denomination — a denomina- 
tion which is loved next to our own ; 
whose great excellencies we see and ad- 
mire, but for whose faults we have no 
more respect than for our own. 

The government and polity of Chris- 
tian Churches, is one of subordinate but 
of real importance. This all denomina- 
tions concede. To deny it, is to accuse 
onesself of ignorance or duplicity. The 
ecclesiastical polity of different orders of 

Field and E. D. Ualtbie, a committee to call a Coo- 
ventlon of Congregational Ulnbter^ and Delegates 
from Conpregatlonal Churches, to organise a State 
Association ; which Convention, consisting of mini*- 
ters and laymen, met at Clinton, May 21, 1884, P. 
neld, Moderator, E. D Maltble, Scribe, and oigao- 
iMd itself Into the Gentnl Awociatton of New York. 



m 



wnKtimtMKDMi nHUliBBOflv MIBHMttBdt QHHI^ 

My mmtkedt mI irorkad In an open 
Gkrktian ipiiit» Hks fences ftr oor fium 
and npanto Iwtiaes fer oar fiunilieii pro- 
■MitM tone OhrirtiMi anian,— a union 
indii as was pragnad te by cm Sanoar, 
Jahn, smi: 81 ; trae Ohnstian anions aris- 
ing fixin the union of tlia heart to Qod, 
iSke Fatber and the Son ; a nnion not bf , 
but in ^nto of denominations; a onion 
whose strengtib and ^^ory are illnstrated 
bj the diTonities winch prevail among 
those who an all united in heart; the 
oolgr Divine and feasible plan of anion 
fer all Chxistiaos on the earth. And 
when we read in tfie New Testament the 
polity of A|iostolie ohwehes; read in 



A Lemm frmtL tik PuL 



{f^asL, 



pesfeoe and ncolesiasHnil UskMPf tiie 
pslifyof the ptinutiTe chnfches,— intar- 
nallj demooratio, and exftssnally fraternal 
bnt independent* — we fed n Christian 
attaehment to oor systeoL And when 
we read that oor Pilgrtm iMwrs left 
(Nd Engiandt not beoanse tiwy differed 
from her Church in doctrine, bnt ham 
its unscriptnral and intolerant politgr* and 
that they made their sacrifices ferfr«e-> 
dom of Chureh gofemnient and wonihip ; 
the blood of the Pilgrian in onr veins 
dirabs up from Christian heaxts, in new 
devotion to the simplidfy and eflkiencyy 
the freedom and independence of Congre- 
gational Churches. 



A LBSSON FBOM THE PAST : 

THE OLD WAY OF SUPPORTINa MINISTEES. 



ST SSV. JOSBPH 8. OLA.UK, D.D. 



NoTHXNa pertaining to the externals 
of religion has more to do with its inte- 
rior life, than the adequate support of its 
ministers. Moses understood this, when, 
in obedience to tlie divine commandi he 
made such liberal provisions for the 
priesthood under the Levitical code. Our 
Pilgrim Fathers understood this, when, 
^>llowiag an impulse hardly less divine, 
they adopted a style of ministerial su|>- 
port almost as liberal The world knows 
what a prominent part was acted by Puri- 
tan divines in colonising New England, 
and what influence they had in moulding 
its character. But the worid does not so 
generally know what ** encouragement " 
(that was the word used in early times to 
denote ministerial support,) the people 
gave them. Through this single word 
there is let in light enough, at least, to 
show how mistaken those are who think 
that the early Congregational ministers of 
New England lived on a starving salary ; 
which, scant as it was, the Sheriff was 
obliged to ferce from reluctant tax^payen 



by legal distraint What a mockery to 
have called this an encouragemnU 1 I£^ 
at intervals, they lapsed into such a neg- 
lectful mood, as they certainly did in 
seasons of temptation, a review of the 
consequences may be *' profitable fer cor> 
rection," as our contemplation of the 
opposite will be equally so fer ** instmo- 
tion in righteousness." 

It is not known what the Plymouth 
people paid Elder Brewster fer supplying 
their pulpit before they had a settled 
pastor. As he never could be induced to 
take that oflice, urged, as he was, to do so 
after Mr. Robinson's death, perhaps he 
refused any salary at all; though die 
(xeneral Court granted, and he accepted, 
a generous gift of land. In regard to 
the first ministers in the Massachusetts 
patent, we have the facts in sufficient 
detail Mr. Higginson, of Salem, accord- 
ing to the contract made with him before 
leaving home, was to receive £80 per 
annum for three years, besides his house, 
fuel, and ''dieC At the aid of that 



IS&flL] A Lmm frmn 0$ FasL ISO 



low 1m wm to kavtt m binidred acfes of Tbt Govcrnoc^t wduj dM m( •lii«|fi> 

land as bis owb« and al the eaEpiratioB cf e»s6ad fiftj pounds— flDctoadng betirean 

seven yean » kundred acres more. la .that and one hoadred — ^withoal any hoosa 

addhioD to all thi% tliey threw in *' tlia in tine bargain. As settlements extondad 

milk of two oowB» and balf the increase of back into the interior^ where agricoltnra 

their calTes." In ease of his decease, his was the main dependence fin* a liTelihoodf 

wifii and ehildreny continaing to reside land became a pretty uniform article of 

among the flock, were to receive their ministorial support ; sometimes as an oni- 

snpport at the public chai^ His coL* right gift to the pastor and his hdrs; 

leagae, Mr. Skelton, having no fiunily on sometimes as a parish glebe, of which he 

his hands, was to receive £10 less. hadooly the ^improvement"— using this 

Governor Winthrop, and hn company word in its Yankee sense, to denote am 

cf 1,500 colonists, who arrived at tha operation which, as applied to ministerial 

moodi of Chariea river the year after, filming, was oftentimes anything but 

soflTered no delay in arranging ministe* improving to the land. Not nnfrequently 

rial matters. The first recorded act, at a house fi>r the mmister was built on such 

the first Court of Assistants — ^held in a g^be, and desoended with it from one 

the cabin of| the Arbella, on the 23d of clerical occupant to another, under the 

Almost, 1630, before a shanty was built name of «' The Parsonage." Inl647,tha 

on shore — is entered on the Colonial General Court of Massachusetts pass ed an 

Becorda, [vol. i. 73 J thus : ** It was pro* act, ^esgned to encourage (not by any 

poonded how the ministers shall be main- means to enforce,) this mode of helping 

tained. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Phillips ministers. It gave to ^ the major part of 

only propounded. tiie inhabitants " of any town Uie right to 

^ It was ordered, that houses shall be purchase or build a parsonage, and con- 

boilt for them with convenient speed, at vey it from pastor to pastor through 



the public charge. Sir Richard Salton* cessive generations — *^ to the end," says 

stall to see it done at his plantetion, the preamble, **• there may be convenient 

[Watertown,] for Mr. Phillips, and the habitedon for the use of the ministry in 

Governor at tiie other plantation for Mr. this jurisdiction, to remain to posterity." 

Wilson. As to compulsion in supporting the 

" Ordered, that Mr. Phillips should gospel among the first CdonistB, it was 

have allowed him three hogsheads of alike unheard of, and unnecessary. It is 

meal, one hogshead of mah, four bushels the agreeing testimony of Court records, 

of Indian com, one bushel of oat-meal, and all other writings bearing on the sul^ 

half an hundred of salt fish ; for apparel, ject, that ministers' salaries, large as they 

and other provisions, £20 ; or else to appear to have been, compared with the 

have £40 given him in money, per annum, stipends awarded to other public servants, 

to make his own provisions if he choose it were collected in tibe most fi«e and easy 

the rather. — That Mr. Wilson should way imaginable. The contribution-box 

have after [the rate of] £20 per annum, was carried through the congrregation on 



till his wife come over." the Sabbath, or rather the congregation 

As nearly as we can calculate firom came up to the contribution-box with 



data, the first settled ministers in their offerings, which the deacons handed 

Maasachusetts, who had families to sup- over to the minister from time to time, 

port, received an average salary of about with such other free gifb as, in fulfilling 

£60 per annum, and their house rent the parish obligation, they found it necea- 

If it seems to us small, it is because we sary to collect in other wajrs. These 

underrate Ae value of a pound sterling, at Sabbath contributions, which came along 

tlMft tuna, in a New England colony, weekly in aome ohuohes, and monthly in 



D80 A Zeswn fnm ihe Pad. [Apbo^ 

dtiieii, mint kaTe been modeb in their deiciibed, each one on a aalaiy higher 

kind, if we may take the testimony of than was paid to any other puUic funo- 

Lechford, a dianterested witness, who has tionary, excepting the Governor. The 

left ns many cnrioos scraps of inibrmadon peculation at that time is supposed to 

in that singular book of his, ^ Plain- have been about. 20,000; which would 

dealing," publidbed on his return to £ng^ throw the support of one minister upon 

land, in 1641. According to his account every three hundred and sixfy-three men, 

of the matter, as managed in the Boston women and children, throughout the Cd- 

Church, after the r^ular Sabbath wor- onies I And yet we hear not a word of 

ship in the afternoon is over, and the complaint from minister or people, as 

assembly are about to disperse, ^ one of though the one were under-paid, or the 

the deacons saying, * Brethren of the con- other over-burdened. It is worthy of 

gr^ation, as God has prospered you, so notice, in passing, that the age when 

freely offer,' the magistrates and chief these sentiments and practices prevailed, 

gentlemen first, and then the elders, and respecting ministerial support, has ever 

all the congregation of men, and most of ' been r^arded as New England's golden 

them that are not of the Charch, all single age in respect to the moral and rel^ous 

persons, widows, and women, in absence habits of her people ; an age when a 

of thw husbands, come up one after cotemporary writer could say, ^a vile 

another, one way, and bring their offer- person does not lift up his head, nor need 

ings to the deacon at his seat, and put it a godly man hang it down ; [so] that, (to 

into a box of wood for the purpose, if it God's praise be it spoken,) one may live 

be money or papers ; if it be any other there ftom year to year, and not see a 

chattell, they set it down before the dea- drunkard, hear an oath, or meet a beg- 

cons, and so pass another way to their gar." [New £ng. First Fruits, in Mass. 

seats again." [Mass. Hist Coll., iii. 77, Hist Coll., L 248.] Even Lechfbrd, a 

78.] This purely voluntary method of complainer by profession, is forced to 

providing for the support of the ministry, acknowledge that ** profane swearing, 

was inculcated by the ministers them- drunkenness, and beggars, are but rare 

selves, till there came in a class of settlers in the compass of this [Massachusetts] 

opposed to the support of the ministry in patent" It was preeminently an age of 

any way. Winthrop records, in his Jour- revivals, too, oi which Increase Mather 

nal, May 2, 1689, that Mr. Cotton, preach- says, '* Scarce a sermon preached but 

ing from 2 Kings, viii : 8, ** Take a present some evidently converted, and sometimes 

in thine hand, and go meet the man of hundreds in a sermon." 
God," &c., ** taught, that when magistrates But as we pursue the course of minia- 

are forced to provide for the maintenance terial affairs from this model age into the 

of ministers, then the churches are in a next, the scenery gradually changes, 

declining condition," and ** that the min- The remark of Johnson, in his ** Wonder- 

isters' maintenance should be, by volun- Working Providence," that ** it is as 

tary contribution, not by lands, revenues, unnatural for a right New England 

or tithes ; for these have always been man to live without an able ministry, 

accompanied wiUi pride, contention and as for a smith to work his iron with- 

sloth." [i. 855.] out a fire," is still true ; but there are 

Here, then, we find one of ** the old those coming in who differ very consider- 

paths." . The first generation of Puritan ably from the " right New England man." 

Congregationalists that occupied New Antinomians, Anabaptists, Quakers — a 

England soil, planted about forty churches, few individuals bearing these 



which, at the end of 1650, were sustain- have lately appeared, and are zealously 
ing fiffy-five ministers in the way now entering upon their vocation of crying 



1869] 



A Lesson frwn the Pari. 



mi 



down the standing order, and their hire- 
ling priesthood. Faint whispers, swelling 
into audible words, and growing by 
degrees into ranting tirades, against 
learned and pious divines, began at length 
to operate on a certain class of odierwise 
well-disposed persons, who could see no 
objection to a ** freer gospel " — i. e., cheap* 
er preaching — if that would suit the new 
comers, and quiet the disturbance. As 
these views spread, contributions would 
naturally fall off, and the deacons' labors, 
in making up the de6ciency, be increased. 
Ministers were actually beginning to leave 
their flocks for want of support, when, in 
1654, the General Court of Massachusetts 
ai^xnnted **a commission to investigate 
the matter,** which resulted in the pas- 
sage of an order ** that the County Court 
in every shire, shall, upon information 
given them of any defect of any congre- 
gation or township within the shire, order 
and appoint what maintenance shall be 
allowed to the ministers of that place, and 
shall issue out warrants to the selectmen 
to assess, and the constable of the said 
town to collect the same, and to dis- 
traine the said assessment upon such as 
shall refuse to pay." [Mass. Col. Rec. 
iv., Pt ii. 199.] The first law, bearing 
on ministerial support in the Plymouth 
Colony, was passed the same year, and 
the same reason for it is given in its 
preamble, namely, " railing and ranting " 
against the ministry. But in this Colony, 
always distinguished for a more tolerant 
^irit than the other, the law proceeded 
no further than to authorize magistrates 
to ** use all gentle means to upbraid " the 
delinquents ** to do their duty therein," 
with discretionary power to use other 
means, in a small way, with such as 
** resist through plain obstinacy against an 
ordinance of God." As this gentle and 
snasory law could not stop ** railing and 
ranting," so neither did it cure the mis- 
chief which railers and ranters had already 
inflicted on the community, by their cease- 
leM appeals to ignorance, envy, and 
asratice, stimulated and intensified as 

VOL. I. 21 



these appeals were, by spiritoal prfiM' 
Accordingly, in 1667, the General CouM' 
undertook to enforce the support of tt&U*- 
isters by the assessment of a tax, levied Hi 
**a just and equal proportion upon tlte^ 
inhabitants " of each town, who ** refbse' 
to clear their part with the rest of thlB 
Church or town, in the due maintenance 
and support of the ministry, — ^this law Hi 
be in force only to them, but not unl6^ 
others that do their duty." 

It will be seen with what relnctande^ 
the fathers gave up the voluntary pria^ 
dple of ministerial support, and for wM' 
reason they did it; how the law, even' 
when deemed a necessity, was limited, in 
its application, to the lawless — leavin^r t6 
the freest exercise of the voluntary prin^ 
ciple all who were ready to soppbrt th^ 
gospel, as hitherto every one had snp^ 
ported it, without legal constraint Yet 
was the law denounced; and by none 
more fiercely than those whose diiorderiy 
conduct had been the occasion of enacts 
ing it. The following extract, fixnn the 
Plymouth Court Records, 2d October, 
1658, gives a good illustration of th^ 
times, orthography and all : ** Leiftenant 
Mathew Fuller being presented fbr spook- 
ing reproachfully of this Court, and say** 
ing the law enacted about ministers' mainr 
tainance was a wicked and a Divillish 
law, and that the Divill sett att the sterne 
when it was enacted, the words being 
proved, hee referring himselfe to the 
Bench, they sensure to be fined 50 shil- 
lings." [iii. 150.] The friction thus in- 
troduced into the machinery of thefle 
Congregational churches, was hard to be 
overcome. Nor did any lubricating pro- 
cess, however often and thoroughly ap- 
plied, entirely stop the creaking, till legal 
compulsion had given place to the volun- 
tary principle again, as it was in the 
beginning, and as it is now. 

But let us not too hastily condemn onr 
fathers for such legislation. Whatever 
may be said about the expediency of 
resorting to legal coercion in supporting 
pnbHc worship nouf^ that law embodiesi ia 



t62 



A Zeam frwn the Pari. 



[Apbil^ 



iti .preamble, one reaioa for it which moat 
have had great weight then, viz: ** Inas- 
much as the several townships were 
granted by the government in cansidera" 
Hon that such a company might he received 
09 should maintain the public worship and 
service of God there." [Plym. Col. Rec. 
iiL| 101-2.] To enact such a law was 
simply requiring the inhabitants of a 
town to comply with the terms on which 
their land was given them, and their 
municipal rights secured, — merely hold- 
ing them to their bai^n when they 
showed signs of breaking/ away from it 
Had nothing been done to arrest this 
course of things; had no subduing in- 
fluence been thrown over this wild, come- 
outer spirit, then venting itself against a 
devoted and regularly paid ministry, it is 
imposable to say what would have been 
the result Checked, as it was, the evil 
was immense. In the Plymouth Colony, 
every minister was unsettled, excepting 
Mr. Partridge of Duxboro' ; and through- 
out New £ngland there was a feeling of 
discouragement infused into the ministry, 
and a blight left upon the churches, which 
some of them never out-grew. Perhaps 
its worst effect was to prolong the union 
of Church and State, by creating an 
apparent necessity for holding up religion 
by the arm of civil law. At any rate, in 
dissolving that unblest union, this was the 
last tie to be sundered. 

The civil magistrates and legislators 
having thus assumed the functions of 
** nursing fathers to the churches," as they 
are usually styled in these Acts, could 
not consistently stop with the mere en- 
forcement of duty on those who were 
able, but unwilling to support their min- 
isters. What was to be done with those 
who were willing, but unable? If, as 
was then deemed an unquestionable 
fact, the temporal well-being of a town 
turned chiefly on its gospel privileges, 
were not the guardians of the Common- 
wealth bound to see that every town had 
its gospel, minister? With the views 
then held by all leading minds through- 



out New England, such qoestioiii were 
answered in the asking ; and the General 
Court were not more prompt in handling 
delinquents, than in helping the needy. 
During the Ust quarter of the seventeenth 
century, and some way into the eighteenth, 
the legislative records of Massachusetts 
are sprinkled with notices of grants from 
the public treasury, for the relief of 
ministers, who, it was represented, could 
not be otherwise sustained. A full ac- 
count of the procedure may be found on 
pages 56-7 of this Quarterly; where 
** early methods of Church Extension " are 
considered. 

The bearing which these facts have on 
the subject now in hand is this: they 
show that the law-makers of that day, 
and, of course, a majority of their con- 
stituents, still deemed the ministry a neces- 
sity which must be provided for at all 
events. How far the people 83rmpathixed 
with their rulers in tins matter, it is not 
diflSicult to show. The terms of ministe- 
rial support at that time were usually 
stated in two parts, viz : so much for set- 
tlement, and so much for salary. By 
examining a large number of cases, it 
appears that, in country towns, the settle- 
ment was about £200 lawful money, or 
its equivalent in land, and the salary 
from £80 to £100; which, while com 
was ninepence a bushel, and labor four- 
teen cents a day, and fuel merely the cost 
of cutting and carting, made a very com- 
fortable living. Add to this the fact, that 
in 1671 a law was passed in Massachu- 
setts, [See Col. Rec, vol. iv. Pt ii., 486 J 
freeing the property of ministers ** from 
all rates for the country, county, and 
Church, and for the town also, except 
when by special contract with the town 
they have consented thereto," and it will 
appear that the clergy were better pro- 
vided for than they have ever been since. 

The custom of making legislative grants, 
to piece out the short-comings of a feeble 
parish to their pastor, could not be con- 
tinued. Even if the churches had all 
remained of one denomination, as they 



18SI».] 



A Lesson from the Past. US 



were wlien tiiis policy was initiated, tiie the thing. Qaite likely tlie same chvrehe^ 
bankrupt state of tbe public treasury, and others that have sprung from them, 
occasioned by French and Indian wars, are better off to-day — more -vigorous and 
would have rendered it impossible to meet enterprising — than they would have been 
the growing demand. The last grant had they leaned on the arm of charity 
which the Greneral Court of Massachu- during those trying times. Shut up to 
ietts made to a feeble Church, as such, in their own efforts, and induced to exert 
sustaining their pastor, was in 1711. tftem, (this last was the turning point in 
Those who have had occasion to watch their destiny,) they passed safely through 
the shrivelling influence (on the recip- the season of temptation, which, as if to 
ients,) of parish funds and State endow- reward their self-denying toil, was soon 
ments, and even of misnonary help, when followed by a refireshing from the pres- 
eontinued till dependence becomes a once of the Lord, as our Saviour*s tempta- 
habit, will not be surprised to learn that tion in the wilderness was by a visit of 
the partial and temporary reliance on angels. It is a suggestive fact, that this 
public patronage was working out a per- arduous, but spontaneous struggle in sup- 
ceptable change in the self-sacrificing port of the ministry, so triumphantly 
spirit of the churches, — a change from a sustuned under greater difficulties than 
higher to a lower standard of personal had ever before been encountered; was 
effort in sustaining th^ ministry. Fpr a succeeded by the greatest revival that had 
time the prospect was alarming ; and it ever been experienced. Here, too, under 
cost much plain preaching and many the pressure of these self-sustained bur- 
pamphlets, to correct the earth-prone dens, grew up that equitable and righteous 
bias which even good men were receiving custom of graduating the minister's salary 
from tilts cause. But it was corrected, — by the actual cost of living, — varying the 
not by legal penalties, nor by missionary nominal amount from time to time, as the 
charities, but by eonvincing arguments, prices of other things varied. It was 
addressed to the understanding and the no uncommon thing for a parish to 
conscience. The specimens of treatment change their minister's salary as many 
which the subject received, as handed times as Laban changed Jacob's wages ; 
down to us in old pamphlets, show how but for exactly the opposite reason, name- 
fhtile were then regarded many things ly, to make it equivalent to the sum orig- 
which are now deemed plausible pretexts inaily pledged. Thb custom continued 
for not upholding Church ordinances. It nearly through the eighteenth century, 
was in vain for delinquents to plead '* hard and afforded unspeakable relief to pas- 
times," ** short crops," ** a chaigeable tors, in times of pecuniary revulsion, or 
war." Those who, for any of these causes, fluctuations in the currency, 
were inclined to let their minister's family The law and the usage concerning min- 
sink deeper in want than their own, were isterial support in Massachusetts, passed 
told from the pulpit and the press, by through various modifications, till, in 1833, 
ministers and magistrates, that they were an amendment of the Third Article in 
** robbing God," — ** committing sacrilege," the Bill of Rights again left the whole 
— " eaten up with covetousness." subject to the voluntary action of the 
No doubt it would have been more people, where it already was in other 
pleasant to all parties to have found some parts of Now England. The result of this 
milder means of relieving these distressed return to the primitive way of Sustaining 
ministers; some gentler way of saving these the gospel, shows, on the one hand, that 
imperilled churches from the destruction religion needs no prop from the civil 
that was then threatening them ; but there power ; and, on the other, that there has 
was no other at hand, and tMs accomplished been a sad falling off, from the spirit of a 



164 



4 Ji4S9on from the JPasts 



[^^m 



tummr .MfPh .'m JP«Uli|Hng k» miniiten. 
*^£#pr «ipd iSpr jl^tw«oa " would be the 
T«p|kii( pHijpifs — very iew the moral wastea 
in jfe>v £Ag)jwd, if the present geoer- 
9/i^ were jmboed mth a zeal lor the 
XrfOrd*0 hoMBe as aotjiye and ftrdeot as that 
whitch biult her Bret aanctqaries, aod sus- 
tnjoAdber fint minifters. Even leaving 
fliit.pfiqiQv.AU habitual aeglecters of pub- 
Ue firqosl^p, 4M coofinix^ our observation 
to such onj[y as may fooperly be called 
Cburchv'^iQg .people, A^d who constitute 
t)ie rook 4|m1 ifile ^ ministerial support- 
foSf — ^were on)/ theM€ actuated by the 
Hpirit of itheir Puritan fathers, how would 
**4ie,w]idemess and the solitary place be 
gUd £ta th^ !" How would ** the desert 
fiQ^ce and blossom as the rose !*' When 
iirottld Another pastor, of kindred spirit 
vidth such a people, and ministering to 
them in " spiritual things," be stopped in 
his work, and set adrift from his parish, 
merely because they could not longer 
afford him those '* carnal things," without 
which he cannot devote himself wholly to 
their service in that blessed, but life- 
exhausting labor ? No doubt there would 
»ven then be found, occasionally, a 
feeble band in New England, and many 
more out of it, who would esteem it a 
great favor to get help in building a 
meeting-house and sustaining a minister ; 
but whether they received it or not, a 
meeting-house would go up, and a minis- 
ter be employed, and his family st^pported. 
Is it hoping against hope to look for the 
return of that spirit, when there is felt 
throughout the community a continually 
increasing veneration for the men who 
were once so deeply imbued with it ? 
Must we believe that nothing can be done 
to bring the present generation up to such 
high endeavors, when everybody sees 



that the results of. similar ende^fors, by 
a former generation, have inimortalized 
their names ? Let us rather believe that 
*' the thii^ which hath been, is that which 
shall be ;" that this old path will again be 
trodden ; and that the travellers therein 
will find ** rest to their souls," as their 
predecessors did. It is our deep convic- 
tion — growing deeper every day — that 
the next advancing step in supplying our 
destitute popujiation with an adequate 
ministry, especially here in New England, 
will be taken in thb direction. There 
has been a growing tendency, of late, to 
make Home Missionary Societies respon- 
sible for ministerial maintenance within 
their respective bounds. Perhaps the 
worst, thoi^h not the only bad efi«ct of it 
is, to lighten the responsibilities of their 
people, and proportionally diminish their 
efforts. It also has the effect to reduce 
minbters* salaries, and to hasten their dis- 
mission. A pastor finds that his support is 
too small for his growing family ; and his 
people feel that they cannot increase it. 
On the ground of these data, they make 
their appeal to the Missionary Society, 
which, of course, can come to the rescue 
only in case of a recdt as well as ti/eU 
necessity; and yet if it refuse the aid 
sought, the minister is almost sure of being 
dismissed, or else is retained on a reduced 
salary ; while, in either case, the responsi- 
bility, instead of resting on the consciences 
of those who must bear it before God, is 
quietly transferred to others. Thus does 
an agency, designed for good become an 
instrument of evil ; and the disbursement 
of charity, whose only aim is to strengthen 
the weak, practically tends to weaken the 
strong. How different from all this were 
the views held by our fathers ! and how 
extremely unlike were the results 1 



185&] Th 0(mneam ^f Pastor (^ %&^ 



THE CONNECTION OF PASTOR AND PEOPLE: 

ECCLESIASTICALLY AND CIVILLY. 

BT BJSY. A. H. QUINT. 

We propose to consider, first, What lie down to sleep in the graveyard beside 

the Pastoral Bdation is ; secondly, The his predecessors. He did not look for- 

Method of its actual Formation ; thirdly, ward to a time when, in old age, he 

Its Tenure ; and fourthly, The Method of should be turned over to the God of the 

its Dissolution. In what we have to say, ravens for his daily bread ; nor did hia 

we shall consider the ecclesiastical relar- people watch for 83rmptomB of their pas- 

tion as the substance, it being antecedent tor's seeking a ** broader field of useful- 

to, and above, ail human laws ; and the ness." Then this tie had a sacredneasi 

civil relation as the method, in which the now long since lost Age only deepened 

law estimates it. affection, and made him a wiser counsel- 

A hundred years ago, the explani^tions lor. He had long since buried the patri- 

of the above points would have been archs who had welcomed him in his 

exceedingly simple. The pastor of a youth; he had married the children of 

New England parish, grave, kind, loving their then stalwart sons ; he had baptized, 

and beloved, was the revered preacher and again married, and again baptized, 

of a plain and old fashioned Gospel ; the and was venerable alike to the youngest 

welcome visitor in the homes of his peo- and to those who lingered with him. 

pie ; the counsellor in occasions of per- And when he died, they mourned for 

plexity ; the consoler in times of trouble, him as for a father. 

Having been settled only afler months of It is needless to say, that all this is 

careful consideration on the part of cau- changed. Few men of middle age, are 

tious and godly hearers, and after a day now in their first pastorates. A few Sab- 

of special prayer for wisdom, to Him ** that baths of preaching Seminary sermons, a 

giveth to all men liberally and upbrai- hasty vote, a Council obliged to concur, — 

deth not," no unexpected developments this is the settlement ; a few months of 

caused regret to either. Having been novelty, gradually waning to indifference, 

trained for hb work in the family of some a few years of sameness, a restiveness oo 

eminent divine, he was no novice to that the part of minister or people, a difficulty 

practical part of ministerial life, which through some troubler in Israel, — this is 

Seminaries, however impregnated with the tenure ; then a request for dismissiony 

scholastic lore, are utterly unable to fur- on the ground of ** ill health," a Council, 

nish. Settled under the advice of vener- to endorse the minister as an angel, and 

able men, in the days when grey hairs the people as saints, condolence with the 

were honored, with permanent provision church ** in their great loss," a separation, 

made for his support, he could go on with — and this is the end. Such are a ma- 

his work, comparatively secure from every jority of our pastorates. 

Diotrephes, not necessitated to sacrifice a What the cause of this change is, we 

slowly developing training of hb people to do not propose to consider. Perhaps the 

those hasty methods which, for the sake changed state of society, perhaps the 

of popularity, must furnish constant nov- changed tenure of support, perhaps a 

cities to itching cars, and with the full a less stable theology, perhaps the preva- 

expectation that, in due time, he should lence of " isms," perhaps less singleness 



166 The Oonnedion of Pastor and Pecpk. [Afbh^ 

of paq>09e in the ministry to know gle to the glory of God. On the other 
nothing but «* Jesus Christ and him cruci- hand, the people^owe to him, legally, snch 
fied," may have contributed to cause this support as their stipulations upon settle- 
state of things. The fkct is, however, ment specify ; spiritually, they owe rever- 
apparent ; and it is only a question with ence, love, assistance, relief from anzie- 
good men, whether to seek a return to ties, and spiritual and temporal support, 
the ways of the fathers, or to endeavor to Hence a minister may perform all his 
conform with as good a grace as possible, legal duties, and yet, Scripturally, be a 
to the prevalent desire for a substantially faithless ** steward of the manifold grace 
itinerant ministry. In either case, it is of God;" a people. Church or society, may 
desirable to understand the points speci- pay all they agreed to pay, and yet starve 
fied at the head of this article. If, in one whom they are bound to support; 
attempting this, we go over ground well may keep themselves free in the eye of 
known, it is for the sake of completeness, the law, and yet drive a minister into a 

I. The pastoral relation exists between premature grave, 
an individual called ** the pastor," and a II. The pastoral relation is formed, 
body, called in colloquial style, ** the peo- both legally and ecclesiastically, by the 
pie." To constitute a pastorate, there mutual agreement of both parties ; that is, 
must be a distinct and visible relation and the pastor, on the one hand, and the peo- 
a distinctly oiganized body to whom the pie on the other, agree mutually, the one 
pastor holds that relation. The body to be pastor and to fulfill the duties of the 
between whom and the pastor this rela- office, the other to occupy and fulfill the 
tion exists, may be considered in three duties of, the corresponding position. The 
ways, viz. (1) as a Church, which is the essence of the whole matter lies in this 
only New Testament plan, (2) as a par- mutual agreement; but its form varies, 
ish distinct from a Church, to which the Congregationally, (by which we mean 
Church is, in some States, only an insepa- Scripturally,) the Church and pastor 
rable adjunct, and (3) as a Church acting make their own bargain, asking advice, 
as a Religious Society, which it may do, however, of neighboring churches, on the 
if it pleases. But whatever shape this ground that it is ** a matter of common 
body may take, there are certain recipro- concernment," and because such a course 
cal duties. Legally, if the pastor preaches recognizes the obligations of the fellow- 
doctrines substantially the same as those ship of the churches. We say, ** make 
he was uhderstood to hold when first set- their own bargain," although the theory 
tied, — performs with ordinary fidelity his is that the Church elects its pastor ; ^ 'Tis 
special services, funerals, ordinances, and very certain," says Cotton Mather, in his 
the like, — and preserves a fair character. Ratio Disciplinae, p. 26, ** that the right 
he is held to have performed his share of of a Church to choose its own pastor was 
the contract And so long as the people recognized and received in all the times 
meet their pecuniary and kindred obliga- of primitive Christianity. Yea, 'twas one 
tions, so long they are unblamable. But, of the last things that the Man of sin rav- 
spiritually, every Christian sees that this ished from the people of God." But this 
is a small part of the relation. It is the old theory has been submerged by the 
shell without the meat Scripturally, it is peculiar and unscriptural relations of 
the pastor's duty, in every proper way. Church and parish. Where these rela- 
to endeavor to gain souls to Christ, to tions exist, (as they generally, but not 
edify Christians, to train up the young, always, do in New England,) the Church 
to comfort his people in trials, to counsel must obtain the consent of the parish, or, 
in all religious concerns, and generally, what is the real truth, the Church is po- 
to be a faithful minister, with an eye sin- litely allowed to nominate, and the parish 



1859.] 



The ComeeUon of Pastor and People. 



167 



really makes the bargain. The method 
in Massachusetts is this: The Church, 
having by proper methods, (now gener- 
ally abandoned in practice) satisfied itself 
that the person proposed for the pastorate 
is suitably qualified, votes to extend to 
him " a call," that is, an invitation, to 
become pastor ; it then sends that vote to 
the parish, which, at a legal meeting, 
properly notified for the purpose, concurs 
or not, as it pleases ; if the parish refuses 
to concur, the case is dropped ; if it does 
concur, it fixes the salary, and the votes 
are transmitted to the individual in ques- 
tion ; if he accepts, the Church and parish 
call a Council of neighboring churches, 
empowering them by letters missive, to 
examine, and, if they see fit, to ordain 
him to the pastoral office. If that Coun- 
cil do so ordain him, the relation is then 
and there ratified. Legally, less will suf- 
fice. (1) Only the ^parish makes the 
contract ; the Church, it has been decided 
in our Courts, has no authority in the 
matter, although the Court recommends 
the practice of allowing the Church to 
nominate. The Church, although its offi- 
cers are a quasi corporation for certain 
eleemosynary purposes, is not a contract- 
ing party in the settlement of a minister ; 
and, in one case, a Council was found 
willing to settle a minister against the 
vote of the Church ; in fact, Unitarian 
pastors are now generally settled without 
any action whatever by the Church. (2) 
The law has nothing to do with the duty 
and method .of the parties' obtaining mu- 
tual satisfaction of each others' fitness; 
while, ecclesiastically, and religiously, that 
is a necessary preliminary. (3) A Coun- 
cil is not legally necessary to the formation 
of the pastoral connection, inasmuch as a 
contract can be made without one ; while, 
ecclesiastically, a Council is required by 
the fellowship of the churches, although not 
for the validity of the transaction.* These 

1 The quention b somf^timM aaked whether a 
formal call, a formal acceptance, and the actual 
eooaomuatlon of the contract, vatabliah, Coogre. 
fatlooally, a paatorate. Cvrtainly, both Gongrvga- 
tio&ally and legally ; the interren tion of a Council 



differences arise, in part, from the inade- 
quacy of law to meet spiritual conditions. 
The law goes as far as it can go, (except 
in one point, viz : ignoring the Church,) 
and includes the essence of the pastoral 
relation, so far as law can touch it 

Two points will be noticed here : First, 
while orderly Congregationalism requires 
not only all the law requires, and much 
more, care should be taken that law 
should be fully complied with, and that 
all things should be done in a proper 
manner. Thus the parish meeting should 
be seen to be legal ; the " call " should be 
specific and comprehensive ; the Council 
should be regularly invited and plainly 
authorized; the records of the Council 
should be properly made up (especially 
embracing the /act of settlement) ; copies 
of the Result should be communicated to 
parish and minister, to avoid any possible 
confusion afterwards. A case once oc- 
curred where a minister, 78 years of age, 
was turned off to beggary by a parish, 
which had profited by his labors for forty- 
five years; — although time so heals in- 
formalities as generally to prevent such 
wrong. Secondly, a great change has 
taken place in the relation of Church and 
parish. Formerly the Church was actu- 
ally the main party, as it now is ecclesias- 
tically. When none but Church members 
could vote in civil affairs, and when par- 
ishes were territorial, the parish was 
substantially the Church ; but when this 
qualification for voting was done away, 
the power of transacting business remain- 
ed in the civil body as before, which thus 
retained the substance, while the princi- 
ple was gone ; and now the Church is only 
an inseparable adjunct of the parish, with 
no voice in the contract, and exposed to 

affeota only the feltowahip of the churchea, noi the 
Talidity of the act itaelf. But a formal call and fbr- 
mal acceptance do not establish a paatorate nnleea 
there be an actual Installation of some kind; the 
election of a man aa QoTernor, and hta acceptance, do 
not make him GoTernor until he ia inaugurated Into 
that position ; but a Church can, with or without a 
Council, and in any way they prefer, inatal tba 
pastor, although to do it without a OonacU is Irrsg^ 
ular aa to form. 



168 



The Cbrinetiian tf PastGr and People. [kprohj 



all ih<$ eonseqnences flowing from the 
Dedbam decision. Thus the chnrches 
lost theil* legitimate rights by a method 
whose conseqaences we can only attribute 
to their own early folly. Bat on this 
matter we will not enlarge, as we propose 
to treat of the relation of Church and 
parish (or society,) in another article.^ 

IIL The tenure of the pastoral rela- 
tion. 

The tenure has been greatly modi- 
fied by the complication of the legal with 
the ecclesiastical. In strict Congrega- 
tionalism, the Church, which elects, has a 
right to dismiss at pleasure. But the 
pecuniary engagements which have en- 
tered, have made the relation a contract 
It must, then, of course be governed by 
all the rules of ordinary contracts. The 
parties, having made a contract, are bound 
^ in honor, as well as by the ordinary rules 
of justice, to adhere to it It were strange 
if religion allowed any greater laxity 
than law, in the fulfillment of contracts ; 
any one who violates such a compact, is 
dishonorable in the extreme. 

This includes, first, that the relation b 
precisely what the contract of settlement 
makes it It must interpret itself. If 
that contract had any peculiar provisions, 
the parties are bound legally and eccle- 
riastically, to observe them. If, for ex- 
ample, it were specified that a colleague 
should always be employed, no violation 
of that provision could rightly impose 
additional duties on the pastor. If, as is 
sometimes the case, it were provided that 
the pastorate should expire at the end of 
^YQ years, it must then cease. If a pro- 
vision were inserted, that upon either 
party's giving six months' notice, the con- 
nection should cease, that provision must 
be enforced. So with any other pecu- 
liarities. So the law has always decided. 
The contract must be fulfilled. One case 
is perhaps worthy of mention; it was 
that of Cochran r. Camden (15 Mass. Re- 

1 A totter ofcnqalrj on thte ralOMt from a Taloed 
aomtponiml vUl rMilv* notfoeina ftatart nam- 
ter. 



ports, p. 296.) The minister was settled 
with a stipulation that ** they shall each 
have the right, by giving six months' 
nodce of the wish for a dismission, to caD 
a Council, whose duty it shall be, at the 
request of either party, to dissolve the 
connection between the town and the 
minister, unless such dissatisfaction can be 
mutually accommodated." The town 
voted, at a certun date, to give the ax 
months' notice, and that the connection 
would be ended at its expiration. It also 
sought to obtain a Council, but the min- 
ister declined to accede. The town then 
endeavored to obtain an Exparte Council, 
(which the Court held they had a right to 
do,) but by some blundering, failed to 
obtain a legal one, although several per- 
sons came as called, and individually gave 
their advice in the premises. The mini»' 
ter claimed his salary for a year, (more or 
less,) after the expiration of the six 
months' notice, and brought a suit to re- 
cover it The town held, that as a Coun- 
cil would, by the terms of the contract, 
have no option, bnt be merely formal, the 
connection was ended by their vote. The 
Court decided that ** the Convention of a 
regular Council, to pass upon the question 
of dismission, was essential to the dissolu- 
tion of the contract and that it was so 
contemplated by the parties when they 
entered into it ;" it held, also, that such a 
Council could not be bound by such a 
restriction, but that a Council has an in- 
herent and essential right to deliberate, 
and, if it choose, to refuse to dissolve the 
connection ; and that, if a Council did thus 
meet, under the six months* plan, and did 
not advise dismission, the legal relation 
still continued, notwithstanding the six 
months' notice. The case reminds us of 
a recent case in Massachusetts. 

The tenure of the pastoral contract, is 
now such, secondly, that neither party 
can annul it at its own pleasure, unless 
expressly so stated. Doubtiess, no true 
Congregationalist would ever assent, in 
Council, to such a- preposterous provision ; 
it is bad enough to have to agree to 



1859.] 



The OomueUon (ff Pastor and Peofk. 



169 



Mfive-jeara' daoses," or ^' siz-mooths*- 
notice clauses," withoat offering such an 
inducement to busy-bodies. We take it 
for granted, that such cases do not exist 
The .tenure of the pastoral office, there- 
fore, is not subject to the will of either 
party. Having made a contract, the par- 
ties are bound to fulfil it ; this is ecclesias- 
tical as well as legal. **The question 
is brought before us," (^ A very v. Tyring- 
ham, 3 Mass. p. 160,) '^whether towns 
and parishes have the right of dismissing 
their ministers at pleasure, without assign- 
ing any breach of duty or immoral con- 
duct against them.*' *' Ii is true, the re- 
ligious societies are left at liberty to make 
such contract, and for such time as shall 
be agreed between them and their minis- 
ter ; but the contract once made, it is sub- 
ject to all such rules of law as govern 
other engagements." So it was declared, 
in Ptchham v. North Parixh in Haverhill^ 
(16 Pickering. 274,) that, *' the parish 
cannot dissolve the contract at their own 
will and pleasure ;" and this principle has 
been, we believe, uniformly adhered to. 
It has also been decided that, when no 
limitation is expressed in the contract of 
settlement, the settlement is for life ; ** a 
settlement of a minister, if under a con- 
tract for an indefinite period, is a settle- 
ment for life." *' It has ever been the 
uniform opinion of all the Judges who 
have successively filled the bench of our 
highest Judicial Court, that when no 
tenure was annexed to the office of a 
minister by the terms of his settlement, he 
did not hold the office at will, but for life, 
determinable for some good and sufficient 
cause, or by the consent of both parties." 
{Avery v, Tyringhatn, as above.) Nor 
are we aware that thb principle has ever 
been reversed. 

The tenure of the pastoral relation is 
such, thirdly, that neither party has a 
right to nullify it virtually , while it still 
exists actually. We fear that too little is 
thought of the sacredness and inviolability 
of its duties. A Church or parish, which 
deliberately does anything to impair the 



value of this connection, is dishonorable in 
the highest degree. *' Starving a minis- 
ter out," ** cutting off* supplies," however 
sophistically shielded, render a parish 
only worthy of contempt AVhen indi- 
viduals refuse to bear their proportion of 
expense, or refuse to aid in those spiritual 
duties wherein cooperation is esi!«ntial 
to ministerial success, those individuals 
act in a way which should cause the 
blush of shame to mantle their cheeks. 
The underhanded methods often taken to 
bring a minister into unpopularity, are of 
every-day occurrence. Some physician 
U offended, because the minister's family 
prefer pills to pellets, or pellets to pills ; 
or some reformer or conservative finds too 
little or too much abolitionism ; or some 
purse-proud parishioner receives too little 
reverence ; and immediately a long face 
*' fears that the minister's usefulness is at 
an end." The low and despicable arts, 
which whisper where they dare not speak, 
are then busy. Or, sometimes, the pre- 
cise opposite is the case. A parish b 
bold enough, for instance, to close the 
Church against the pastor. Such a course 
is not only mean, — it has no force what- 
ever. This was settled in the case of 
Sheldon v, Eattton (24 Pickering, 281,) 
where the Court decided that the plaintiff 
was legally entitled to his salary, inas- 
much as he had ** at all times been ready 
to perform all duties to them, growing out 
of the relation thus created, and having, 
in fact, performed such parochial duties as 
they would permit him to perform." Also 
in Thompson v. Rehoboth (5 Pickering, 
470,) where it was held that ** he was a 
minister de facto, as well as de jure, until 
lawfully dismissed; and might lawfully 
claim hid salary, on the ground of services, 
notwithstanding the meeting-house was 
shut against him." 

On the other hand, ministers are 
equally bound in honor and in law. No 
man has a right to trifle with the pastoral 
office. That vanity in candidates, which 
loves to accumulate *' calls " only to be 
refused ; which boggles and manoeuvres to 



VOL. I. 



22 



170 



The Cbfmeetum of Padar Met PeopU. [Apbil^ 



get a higher offer, — ^which we liaTe knoim 
to dot all the eligible vacancies on a 
pocket map of New England for continued 
reference, or to make ont a table ar- 
ranged according to the size of salaries, — 
has done much to bring the pastoral 
relation into disrepute. Nor is it an 
unknown thing for pastors to be away 
from their own united and able parishes, 
eandidating in richer pulpits, not once 
or twice, but habitually. When ministers, 
themselves, have so low a regard for the 
sacred office of preaching ** Jesus Christ 
and him crucified," how can they expect 
the pastoral relation to retain its old 
permanence ? We fear that the tone in 
our Seminaries is too often, not ** where 
can I best serve Christ," but, ** where can 
I get a fashionable, a prominent, a 
wealthy pulpit?" — ^that the discussions 
are often characterized more by ambition 
than by thoughts of a dying Redeemer ; 
that Councils give way too often to men's 
mere love of change, approving in form 
what their hearts rebuke. We hold that 
no pastor has a right (in ordinary cases) 
to search for another parish ; he should 
leave the matter with God ; he should 
place himself unreservedly in God's 
service, and wiut for God's bidding. If 
God has a work for any man to do, he 
has a place for him to do it in, and will 
place him there in the proper time; 
" What wouldst Thou have me to do? " is 
all that a minister has a right to say. Nor 
will there be a return to the good old 
paths, until pastors and churches shall 
become thoroughly imbued with the 
sacredness of the work which Christ has 
appointed to each ; shall sacrifice self, 
and shall be willing to live under the 
guidance of the Holy Ghost 

IV. Method of the Dissolution of the 
Pastoral Relation. 

Had the question been asked, a few 
generations ago, **How is the Pastoral 
Relation dissolved?" the answer would 
have been, *• by death, of course." But 
it appears by the Massachusetts sta- 
tutics, that, in the year ending July 



1, 1858, only one pastor died^ while 4S 
were dismissed, and that in the year pre- 
ceding, the ratio was 2 to 45 ; the annual 
dismissions appear to be ft*om one-eighth to 
one-sixth of all the pastors ; in other words, 
the pastorates average less than eight yean 
each, without reckoning losses by death. 
By this time, we ought to be familiar with 
the grounds and method (^such a separa- 
tion ; but not infirequent and diagraceful 
contests, as well as numberless cases of 
heart-burnings, of which the public hean 
nothing, indicate a state of lamentable 
ignorance. 

According to early New England Con- 
gregationalism, the pastorate is nmply an 
office in a particular Church, of divine 
origin, but to which the Church elects the 
incumbent, as it would any other officer. 
Ordination was merely inauguration into 
the office pertaining to that Church, not 
to a grade of clexgy . Removal from office 
was under the control of the Church, and 
when effected by vote of the Church, was 
called ** depodtion," — a term which is now 
applied to degradation ft*om the ministry 
itself. Yet when so performed, it was 
held that it ought not to be done without 
the advice and approbation of neighbor- 
ing churches reprinted in Council. 
There very soon arose the idea that the 
relation was really a contract, and that 
so long as both parties performed their 
share of the contract neither party had a 
right to break it ; and when an actual con- 
tract for support entered, this theory was 
confirmed. That the relation is a con- 
tract, and determinable for proper causes 
and in a proper manner, all agree. But 
what are suitable grounds for a dissolution 
of the relation, is a mooted question. Dif- 
ferent individuals do not fully agree ; and 
between the legal and the spiritual there 
is a broad difference, — the latter far ex- 
ceeding the former. Spiritually, (1) it 
would already appear, that when either 
party has violated the contract, the other 
is absolved. Thus, if the people refuse or 
neglect to pay, and punctually pay, the 
amount agreed upon for pastoral support ; 



1$59.] 



The ChmecUoH tf Pastor and PtofU. 



in 



<^9 if they wQl not cooperate in Chnstian 
work, bat throw on him labors not belong- 
ing to him, — he is not bound to remain, 
although he is still .to consider whether 
dn^ to his Master max ^^^ require him 
to bear with such difficulties, and still to 
preach the gospel, even although the 
people he preaches to, are CTidently sin- 
ners, and not saints; and certainly he is 
not to act without a fur endeavor to have 
the grioTances redressed. On the other 
hand, if a pastor is, spiritually, unfaithful ; 
if he neglects his duties ; if he meiges the 
pastor in the politician, or the temperance 
or abolition agent, then he yiolates his 
contract (2) If the proper ends of the 
ministerial work are not accomplished, 
it becomes then a presumption that the 
connection should cease,— even although 
no &ult be chargeable on either side.^ A 
man xdkj not be fitted for the place where 
he is settled, and yet do admirably some- 
where else. A parish may not work well 
with one man, but may with a different 
JiTow no hasty determination should ever 
be made, in the discouraged feeling so 
common to ministers that they ^ see no 
fruits;^ they should ** learn to labor and 
to wait" But when it is clearly evident 
tiiat a minister faib to meet the require- 
ments of the case, — perhaps cannot keep 
the continued affections of a people, per- 
haps is not adapted to the place, then 
there is no reason in his throwing himself 
back on his ^^bond," and persisting on 
remaining, while Providence indicates his 
removal. In saying this, we are afraid 
we may give countenance to an unsettled 
feeling on the part of churches, a love of 
novelty, a desire of change, in which all 
these reasons are alleged, while the true 
one is their own indolence, unkindness, 
and want of that spiritual- mindedness 
which is life and peace. Against this we 



1 W« do not, of eoane, refer to cases where a pas- 
•» bsoomes old and helpievs, after barloff siTen the 
bcH jrsart of his life to his parish ; in such a case, no 
deeeot man would treat an old hone as aopentn- 
naled miolsters soinetimes are treated. Christianity 
awl awnanitijr alike require en adequate sopport from 
to wbom 1m ius devoted hit UA. 



protest; but neverthelM we do say, that 
after all proper efforts to remove cause for 
difficulty &il, and the great ends of the 
pastorate are evidently not attained, no 
person^ considerations ought to weigh 
with a pastor one moment True, he has . 
hb contract^ but why is not this thought 
of when the pastor is called to a ^ broader 
field of usefulness," and, against the desires 
and prayers of an affectionate people, 
*' feels it his duty " to go ? We remember 
a case where this principle was stated with 
powerful effect; a parish desired a change 
in the pastorate ; the pastor and his friends 
exclaimed against the injustice, and alleged 
^ the sacredness of the contract ;*' ** if he 
was not the man, why was it not discov- 
ered at his settlement ?" " But," was the 
reply, ** Mr. A. B. was settled at C, over 
a united people; against these <remon- 
strances he left, to accept a call from the 
richer parish of D., notwithstanding the 
* sacredness of a contract;' and yet again, 
against the entreaties of D., and with an 
abundant income there, he left D. to enter 
into this *' broader field " of £., forgetful 
of * the sacredness of a contract' Twice 
he insisted on the dissoludon of his con- 
tract ; why may not a parish do so once t " 
And it is difficult to see, if a minister 
ought to leave a Church and go where he 
can do more good, why 'a Church may not 
desire a man who can do them more good. 
The prevailing instability is not all change- 
able to churches. 

When the parties are considering the 
subject of a separation, one or both, they 
should first consider religiously the reasone 
for such a proceeding. That a separa- 
tion can be legally consummated, is not 
evidence to a Christian, that it ought to he 
consummated. It is for the conscience of 
the parties to decide this. For ourselves, 
we incline to that old fashioned view, 
which looked upon such a separation as 
sacrilegious, except when demanded by • 
the clearest evidence of duty, and sadly 
unfortunate when it is clearly necessary. 
Hence we dislike the modem plan, which 
subjects the continuance of this holy rela- 



17!^ Th$ (kmiuiim cf Pastor and Pe^ [Apbie^ 

ttoii to the whims and caprices of pastor however, has no sach dutom ; a mimsler 
or parisbionera. We were once delegate once ordained, settles all ordinary matten 
to a Council called to act upon a minis- in future, with the Church ; if he be dis- 
ter's dismission, he having received a missed, the recommendatory votes of the 
** call " elsewhere. The parties were Church are his clean papers. Nor can it 
happily united, and both seemed reluctant fail to be seen that the tendency, in our 
to separate, — ^the parish toos — and both own denomination, is plainly in that direo- 
desired light When the Council unan- tion. The frequent inefficiency of Conn- 
imously advised against a separation, we cils, the needless expense of convening a 
were innocent enough to consider the Council merely to ratify a foregone con- 
matter settled. Judge of our surprise, to elusion, are working their legitimate re- 
find him, within three weeks, dismissed suits. Already a *^ half-way house" is, to 
by another Council, to go to the ** broader separate privately, and empower a Coun- 
field of labor." We have ceased to be cil, called to settle a successor, formally 
surprised at such things, but we have not to dismiss the former incumbent So 
coMed to dislike them. We have an idea transparent a form will not last long; and 
that neither party should loosen such we already find instances where the par> 
sacred ties, except when necessity clearly ties privately separate, — a course which b 
indicates it to be the will of Providence. possible, of course, only when the parties 

When it is clearly evident to either agree, 
party that a separation is actually ueces- In conformity with these principles, 
sary, that party ought so to inform the though not to the full spiritual extent, 
other. Perfect and kind frankness would has the law decided, except that it deals 
save immense trouble. Disafiected par- with societies, not churches. We will 
ties ought to have manliness enough to delineate the rules of proceedings in Mas- 
communicate directly with the pastor ; if sachusetts, not only for the benefit of 
this were done, he will, if a Christian readers in this State, but also because 
gentleman, receive it in a proper spirit ; (what is generally forgotten,) the legal 
difficulties may perhaps bo removed ; or, decisions are not arbitrary creators of 
if not, an amicable separation may take Congregationalism, but are an endeavor 
place in scores of cases where the sense of merely to interpret historical Congrega- 
mean and unjust treatment now leads to tionalisuL Unfortunately, the Courts deal 
division and strife. with parishes or societies, instead of 

When a separation seems desirable, churches; but this is not unreasonable 

the next step usually is to take the advice when we remember that there must be 

of a Council before proceeding. ^ A pas- some corporate body, of which the law 

tor settled in the service of a people," can take cognizance as to contracts, and 

well says Cotton Mather, ** is to be so other civil transactions; and so long as 

sensible of his d'.signation by the Spirit our churches throw ofi* that responsi- 

and Providence of the Lord Jesus bility as to religious institutions which the 

Christ, for that service, and of the Scriptures enjoin, they have no right to 

account that he must give unto God, complain ; if the parish must alone assume 

about his behavior in it, that his removal the legal responsibility, they ought to 

must not be rashly attempted, but with have the individual right of selecting 

much consideration, consultation, suppli- their own minister. When the churches 

cation, and sincere desire to follow the shall re-assume the burden, they can re> 

conduct of Heaven in it" And the con- assume their control, and not till then ; 

verse holds true. And on this ground, a and not till then ought they to have any 

Council is called, theoretically, for advice, voice in the matter. They have gone down 

The Baptists wing of Congregationalism, into £gypt, and they reap the result 



1859.] 



People. 



178 



Now if we tolxdtate ««Cfaim;h'' for 
** parish," we should 6nd that the legal 
decisions simply embody Congregational- 
ism, and as such they will exhibit clear 
principles. 

There are two forms in which to con- 
sider this matter of separation : 1. When 
the parties agree npon the propriety and 
terms of separation. 2. When they (/if- 
agree upon one or the other. 

1. When the parties agree, they may, 
legally, dissolve the connection without a 
Council, if they see fit The contract, like 
other contracts, may be ended by mutual 
consent ** Now it is well known," it is 
stated in Burr v. Sandwich^ (9 Mass. 277,) 
** that when the grounds of the proposed 
dtssoltttion are agreed by the parties, no 
dishonorable or inmioral imputation hav- 
ing been made one of the grounds, the 
parties may, and frequently do, dissolve 
the relation by mutual consent, without 
taking the advice of a Council." We 
doubt the ** frequently," but the prin- 
ciple is clear: The ecclesiastical method 
is, to call a Mutual Council, asking their 
advice, and empowering them to dissolve 
the contract ; thus all things are ** done 
decently and in order." It should be 
noticed, however, that a separation in such 
a case, really derives its force only from 
the consent of the parties themselves ; a 
Council has no authority of its own. If 
letters missive invite a Council merely 
** to act upon the proposed dissolution " (or 
expresses the same thing in other lan- 
guage,) the Council so called can only 
recommend, and their decision is of no 
force until ratified by subsequent action 
of the parties. The Council cannot say, 
*' the relation is hereby dissolved," unless 
especially so authorized and empowered 
by the letters missive. 

2. When parties cannot agree, whether 
as to the propriety or the terms of separ- 
ation, more complication ensues. Here a 
Council is indispensable; and simply 
upon the principle, that when parties to a 
contract cannot agree, it is a proper case 
for referees. For the sake of cieam< 



in explaiiiing this matter, we will soppoee 
that a parish wishes its pastor to leave ; 
we do not consider the opposite case (as 
no parish is silly enough to insist on its 
minister's remaining against his will); 
and will trace, step by step, the course to 
be taken, in case he objects to the thing 
itself or iti terms. 

(1.) A parish Vote, to declare the con- 
nection ended, is, of its own force, worth 
less than so much blank paper. One 
party to a contract cannot annul it *^ A 
parish may, however, without the inter- 
vention of a Council, act upon them; 
[i. e., charges of such pastoral misconduct 
as legally works a forfeiture of the pasto- 
ral office,] but they act at their peril, and 
their decision can be supported only by 
affirmative proof of the truth of these 
charges. Being parties, their decision is 
not evidence in their favor." (Sheldon 
V. Easton, 24 Pickering, 281.) Hence» 
if these charges could be substantiated, a 
Council is the ready and satisfactory tri- 
bunal. 

(2.) The parish must, as its first step, ask 
the minister to join in calling a Mutual 
Council; taking care that their action 
is legal in all respects, and specifying 
distinctly to him, in their proposal, the 
reasons which they propose to present to 
the Council. '*When these causes are 
affirmed to exist (Sheldon r. Eaxlon,^BS 
above) how are the allegations to be 
tried ? Of the first (i. e. essential change 
of belief) an Ecclesiastical Council alone, 
has jurisdiction [modified by later de- 
cisions] ; and in relation to the other two> 
that body is manifestly the most proper 
tribunal for their investigation." There 
is evident fairness also in the following, 
from Thompson v. Rehoboth, (7 Pick. 159.) 
*'When asked to agree on a Mutual 
Council, the minister ought to have a 
general stetement of the grounds and 
reasons of the call upon him ; not in a 
precise t^hnical form, but substantially 
set forth, so that he may exercise his 
judgment whether to unite in a Council 
or not" And, *«The ofier of a Mntual 



m 



7! he (hnmdim c^ Potior mid Pey^ [Apbo^ 



Couneil, to be effectual, mutt hftTe been 
made by Yirtae of aathoritj from the 
parbb." (lb.) An offer fhxn the Cboicb 
is ufleleas, and an offer from individually 
or a party, in the pariah, ia equally ao. 
UnleiB these requirements are complied 
with, it is unreasonable as well as useless 
to proceed. 

(8.) When a proposal to caU a Council is 
thus made, aflsigning reasons which the 
law will sustain, the pastor is virtually 
bound to accede to it He must antwer^ 
9XLJ proposal; and if^ in answering, he 
declines, he must specify his reasons. 
** When the authority of either party to 
proceed, depends upon the other party's 
refusing to concur without sufficient cause, 
the cause ought to be asngned, that the 
sufficiency of it may be examined." (^imt 
o. Sandwicki as above.) And the minister 
must answer categorically; a "condif 
tional answer would, and ought to be 
taken as a refusal" {Tkompson v. Beho» 
bothJ) Hence, if the parish do not as- 
sign their reasons, or assign reasons le- 
gally insufficient, the minister may safely 
decline, provided he assigns whichever 
is the case, as the reason of his refusal 
But in case the parish do specify legally 
sufficient reasons, the minister cannot 
decline. Suppose he does decline; then, 

(4.) In case he unreasonably decline, the 
parish may proceed to call an impartial 
Ex'parte Council, whose doings will in 
all respects have precisely the force of a 
Mutual Council ^ *' If, in a proper case 
for the meeting of an Ecclesiastical Coun- 
cil to be mutually chosen, either party 
should unreasonably and without good 
cause, refuse their concurrence to a mu- 

1 A aUtement to (hUi cffoct In tb« Uic Year Book, 
bai bcon callotl in qoMtioa ; but no on* who will 
•xaminv th« theory of CongregationiUiiim will doubt 
it. Tb« error arine (1) flcom Ibrgectinff that no 
Goaneil it aoyibtng nore tfaanmfvMory; a Goanell 
•ni powered to aiUadieate la noi Congiegational ; it 
it a boerd ofrefereee; and (2) by loolciogat ima- 
ginary c«Mt, in which, in reality, no Gonncil it 
proper. It ie not uterted rhat any ex-parte Goanell 
has the foroo of a matnal on«, (ibr eooie are a etench 
In the noetrila of tiMooniniaoitj,) bat tliat erery pro- 
perljf eoHitUuUd one hM predttly tha fene of a 
Matoal OooimIL 



tnal choice^ the aggrieved party may 
choose an impartial Council, and will be 
justified in confinming to the resnU." 
{Avety 0. lyringham S Mass. 160.) That 
is, the Ex-parU Council will occupy the 
position of a Mutual Council But it 
must (a) be impartially constituted. A 
defect here, by calling prejudiced per* 
sons, is HbAbL In the case of Thompson o. 
Rehobothf a member of a former un£Etvar- 
able Council, was declared to be unquali- 
fied to serve again. It ought also, (b) 
when met, to ofier itself as a Mutual 
Council to the other party ; and (c) its 
validity depends upon a previous ^ un- 
reasonable" refiisal on the pastor's part to 
call a Mutual Council. His refiisal is 
'* unreasonable," if a Mutual Council has 
been fairly ofiered, and valid reasons as- 
signed to him. If the least doubt exists 
on this point, the Council should go home. 
But what are *' valid reasons ? " Only 
those which the law declares to woik a 
fiirfeiture of the pastoral office. 

(5.) The causes which may be assigned 
as reasons, are only three: ''There are 
three established causes of forfeiture. 1. 
An essential change of doctrine. 2. A 
wilfiil neglect of duty ; and S. Immoral 
or criminal conduct" (^Sheldon v. Eom- 
ton.) The same decision explains: ''It 
must be a substantial and essential 
change ; " " not every neglect of duty, or 
every immoral act;" "they must be 
gross." " Great allowance is to be made 
for peculiarity of opinion, taste and 
character ; " »* not every trifling deviation 
from duty." " Occasional inadvertences, 
imprudence, folly, censoriousness, a spirit 
of persecution, &c., are inmioralides, but 
not- such as would, per ««, defeat a con- 
tract of this nature ; " they must be " of 
the grosser sort ; such as habitual intem- 
perance, lying, unchaste or immodest be- 
havior." Burr V. Sandwich, and HoUis Sl 
V. Pierpont, (7 Metcalf, 495) also illustrate 
some of these specifications. 

Now the legal view here fails to come 
up to the spirit of the Scriptures, in a 
point to which we have already adverted ; 



1859.] The ChtmediM df Pador and Peopk. 175 

nor 18 it certain that tbese decisions will (6.) The effect (^ the orderly decision of 
not yet be modified. Bat as the law is, a Mutual Council, or of a properly con- 
there are only these causes. Nor is the stituted Ex-parte Council, is simply this : 
legal doctrine absolutely unreasonable ; it It does not, and cannot dissolve the con- 
proceeds on the now antiquated view, tract ; but its decinon is a legal justifica- 
that a parish knows what it is about when tion of the party adopting it. For in- 
it selects a pastor ; it was not framed to stance, if a Council decide that certaiti 
meet the now ordinary method of hearing charges are proved, and that in conse- 
a Sunday or two*s flash preaching, — the quence thereof, the connection ought to 
power which produced the sermons being be dissolved, the parish is legally justified 
often like the slender stream in ** Swallow in adopting that result, and formally 
Bam," which, by judicious damming, ac- declaring the pastorate ended. This is 
cumulated enough water to grind a bushel based on the simple ground, that compe- 
or two, and then stopped for a freshet tent referees declare the contract broken 
We know of particular sermons, delivered by one party. ** An Ecclesiastical Coun- 
in so many vacant pulpits that each might cil is a judicial tribunal, whose province 
now ^ be read by its tiUe," to great ad- it is, upon the proper presentation of 
vantage. But the law supposes that a pa- charges, to try them on evidence admis- 
ridi will learn what their proposed pastor sible before such a tribunal They have 
is, and that he is deserving of confidence no power to dissolve a contract, or to 
hefort they settie Imn. It then declares absolve either party from its obligation." 
that ^ loss of confidence is not enough." (Sheldon v. Easton.) In the same case it 
'* If he has deservedly forfeited their con- is also said : ** In a proper case for a 
fidence, (Sheldon v, Easton,) he must have Council, their adjudication, regularly 
been guilty of conduct which would be a made, is sufficient evidence of the facts 
good ground for his discharge. If he has determined by them." In Steams v. Bed- 
has lost it without fault on his part, it ford, (21 Pick. 114,) "The result of a 
would be a great misfortune to him; a Council, of its own intrinsic validity, is 
good reason for his retiring from his con- never obligatory upon the parties," 
nection with them, but no legal cause for although if one party adopt it, it does 
his dismission." '* They, therefore, having certainly control the other, except in one 
capriciously and causelessly withdrawn instance, viz., " Where the result of a 
their con6denee, cannot allege their own Council is the recommendation of acts to 
misconduct as a ground for their discharge be done, and conditions to be performed, 
from the contract which they had entered by each party, the performance by one 
into." The real difficulty is, the law has party will not impose legal obligations 
not kept pace with modem degeneracy, upon the other ;" that is, if a Council 
Unless a parish distinctly specifies one of recommended the parish to dissolve the 
these three causes in their request for a relation upon giving the minister a thou- 
Mutual Council, he is legally right in sand dollars, and the minister accepted 
declining to accede ; " if no proper cause the result, yet the parish would not be 
existed, the offer of a Mutual Council by holden unless they adopted it ; but the 
the parish was unreasonable, and not the parish could not adopt that part which 
refusal of the minister." (Burr v. Sand' reconmiends a separation, and ignore the 
unch.) But if they do specify one of matter of the thousand dollars. " The 
these, and he declines, they then have result of a Mutual Council, legally con- 
full power to call an impartial Ex-fmrte voked, will not bind either party reject- 
Council, which Ex-parte Council stands ing it. The effect of the advice of a 
in the same position, so far as effect is Council is nothing more than a legal jus- 
concemed, which a mutu^ 6n6 would tification of the party who shall adopt it" 
have occupied. 



176 



The Cbtmeetian of Pastor and PeofflU. [Apbii^ 



(Burr 0. Sandwich.) In HolUs Street 
Meeting House v. Pierpont^ the descrip- 
tion of the power of Councils, in Aoery v. 
Tyringham, and Burr v. Sandwich^ is 
especially referred to and sustained, that 
** either party conforming thereto will be 
justified." ** So that we consider this 
general principle as well established, and 
not now to be controverted.** So also, 
in (Sf earns v, Bedford.) ** The decision 
of an Ecclesiastical Council, however, is 
not absolutely decisive. It may be im- 
peached in various ways, such as for 
partiality of the members of the Council, 
or any of them ; for the misconduct of the 
prevailing party in improperly influencing^ 
or attempting to influence any of the 
members of the Council, and for other 
causes. So if the ground of the decision 
of the Council appears to be insufficient 
to justify the result, the same may be 
impeached and annulled by a Court of 
Law. But the decision, upon [i. e., ** as 
to *'] the evidence and the facts, is con- 
clusive, and is not to be revised." ** These 
decisions are not conclusive in all respects, 
as already stated, and they do not oper- 
ate ex propria vigore as a judgment, but 
only as a justification of the party con- 
forming to them." ' 

To give the result of Council even so 
much force, it must be clear ; it should 
have two parts, viz., the advice given, and 
the grounds of that advice. Not only 
must the grounds be as above described, 
but the particular ground must be dis- 
tinctly specified. In Thompson v. Reho- 
both^ it is said, *^ They find only that some 
of the charges were proved, without 

1 If, howeT«r, putlM pledge themMlret to abide 
by the decMon, another rale enten : '' If the de- 
fendantu did agree to abide by, and perform, the 
determloatioD of the Coaocil, and if the Cooocil did 
make an award in panoanoe of the authority giren 
to them, we hare no doubt that, under the ciroum- 
•tancei of thii caw, [not peculiar,] its speeiflo per- 
formance miiy be decreed by a Court of Equity.'* 
** If . . . . both partive agree to anbmit fhdr contro- 
▼wrslea to a Mutual Council, it is difllcult to pereeiTe 
any reaaon why they should not be bound by Its 
decisions, aoeordiog to the long established and well 
known law of this OMDmonwMlth.^ Stwnu «. 
Bedford, 



specifying which of them. Now as acme 
of the charges do not of themselves fur- 
nish grounds of compulsory removal, it 
may be, for ought the record shows, that 
these alone were proved." Hence the 
decision was invalid ; nor was parole evi- 
dence admitted to show which were 
proved. 

Further still. *« The Court always look 
behind the adjudication ; and before the 
result can be received as evidence, or 
allowed to have any validity, they will 
examine the proceedings to ascertain 
whether there was a suitable case for the 
convocation of an Ecclesiastical Council; 
whether the members were properly 
selected ; whether they proceeded impar- 
tially in their investigation ; whether 
their adjudication was so formally made,** 
that it might be seen that they acted with 
due regard to the rights of the parties, 
and that they founded their decittion 
upon grounds which will sustain it In 
short, the doctrine of these cases is, that 
the Result of a Council is only prima 
facie evidence." 

The doctrine then, as to the force of 
the decision of a Council seems to be 
this : If sufficient " reasons" are supposed 
to exist for calling a Council; if it is 
fairly and properly called ; if its proceed- 
ings are impartially conducted; if its 
decision is clear, and alleges what facts 
it has found to exist as the grounds of 
its advice ; if those facts are sufficient 
legally to justify the decision ; then that 
decision, (whether of a Mutual or Ex- 
parte Council) is, so far as facts are con- 
cerned, conclusive, and a Court would 
not go behind its statement of facts ; and, 
while its advice is not of itself binding, 
yet either party adopting it and conform- 
ing thereto, will be legally justified by 
that decision. If controversy arises, the 
Court will examine so far as to see that 
all things have been done fairly and 
regularly, but will not review the evi- 
dence. The efiect of such a decision, ii 
such as to preclude the necessity of a 
second Council. Its decision is finaL In 



1869.] 



Chrmedum 



I f 



Burrv, Sandtoichj it was declared that 
an acquittal by a Council, justifies the 
par^ charged, in forever refusing *Uo 
call another on the same chaise." In 
HoUis Street v. PierporU, it was decided 
Uiat an acquittal by Mutual Council 
precluded the party accusing from giving 
further evidence in a court of justice ; 
their decision ended the matter. In WhU- 
more v. Fourth Congregational Society in 
Plymouth (2 Gray,) it was decided that 
the action of a parish, neglecting to state 
in their vote of dismissal, their reasons, 
in asserted anterior immorality, was null 
and void from that neglect; nor could 
they afterwards be allowed to diow what 
the reasons were. 

The whole matter b sufficiently plain. 
The confusions which so frequently occtir, 
arise simply from a neglect of those clear, 
practical, common-sense, Congregational 
principles which our Courts have upheld. 
There is no injustice in any of them. 
The recollection that a contract exists, 
will prevent any honorable parish from 
assuming to declare it null. The provis- 
ions for a Mutual Council only provide 
for a fair hearing before impartial persons, 
to which no man can object The re- 
quirement, that the grounds shall be 
distinctly specified, is one which meets 
every one's sense of fairness. The spe- 
cification of certain distinct grounds, 
merely assures parties that they shall have 
a fair trial. An unreasonable refusal to 
join, is met by the provision for an Ex- 
parte Council. And when the decision is 
rendered, the law merely says, " having 
obtained the opinion of an impartial 
body of men called together according to 
your own time-honored usages, you shall 
be sustained in >taking the facts to be as 
they have found them, and in acting 
accordingly." 

It will be seen that the legal decisions 
as to the grounds which will sustain the 
compulsor)' dismissal of a pastor, are ex- 
ceedingly stringent The spirit which 
has actuated the judges evidently is a 
' regard for the dignity and permanency of 

VOL. X. 28 



Pastor and People. 177 

the pastoral relation. But they fiul to 
meet the requirements of religion. Are 
the interests of Christ's kingdom to be 
sacrificed because no legal forfeiture can 
be proved? Yet if the pastor^s influence 
is ended by the fault of others, ought he 
still to insist on his contract ? We say, 
no. If we said " yes," we should assert 
that, not the good of the cause, nor his 
own usefulness, was to be made promi- 
nent, but merely that justice must be done 
him, — as if justice ever were done in 
this world. No. Let the minister preach 
Christ and Him crucified ; if he is driven 
off, especially by those of his own house- 
hold, it .is hard to be borne, but let Inm 
shake off the dust from his feet and go 
elsewhere. The world is broad enough ; 
the harvest is great; the laborers are few. 
It is a privilege to preach Jesus, not a 
merit ; a privilege, though in a hovel, and 
in the midst of trials. And if he is hard- 
ly treated, let him look to another day for 
recompense ; there is a world which sets 
this to rights. 

But the fact that abstract rights are 
often insisted on, is making, in some lo- 
calities, a great change in the condition of 
the pastorate. It has led the Baptists to 
the practice already alluded to, and also 
to retaining the control of the pastoral 
relation in the hands of the people. It 
has brought many of our own churches to 
the determination not to settle a minister 
except upon the condition that either 
party may discontinue the connection, by 
giving, without reasons, a notice of three, 
six, or more, months. It has disposed 
many other, weak churches, not to settle 
a pastor, but to employ a minister from 
year to year, as ** stated supply." ^ And 
the policy is gaining ground, that, either 
a manifest failure, by imprudencies, or 
unfitness, to retain the affections of a peo- 
ple, should be a further valid reason for 
separation, or that the churches and soci- 

1 According to Um MMMchoMtta Mloates for 18B8, 
of the 482 chorohet, 70 were witboal patton or 
•tated tappIlM, 64 had atattd mppUw, ft&d 848 had 
paaton, of which quite • laiga nnmitat ii« iitUid 
on tho ** Botieo " plaa. 



178 



UnffUsh Otniffr^alianal PuhUeatiatiM. 



[Afbii^ 



edes should retain the actual control of 
the tenure of office, hy suitable provisions 
in the contract 

Of the great principles which underlie 
iiie outward structure of the pastoral rela- 
tion, we forbear to speak ; of Uiese, an- 
other, and experienced writer in pastoral 
matters, will treat. But it ought to be 
remembered both by pastors and churches, 
that the only bond worth retaining, is 
that of mutual Christian affection. When 
this ceases, the sooner the outward tie 
ends, the better. To maintain such 



affection in full strength should be the 
object of both parties. A kind, affection- 
ate, laborious, independent (not fractious,) 
performance of duty by die pastor, — a 
£uthful, willing, and active cooperation by 
the Church ; a mutual forbearance, in the 
remembrance of common frailties and 
errors ; and a supreme, submissive, pray- 
erful, devotion by each one to our Lord 
and Saviour, would be not only the pre- 
servative of all pastoral bonds that ought 
to be preserved, but the secret, to each, 
of Christian success. 



PUBLICATIONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENG- 
LAND AND WALEa 

BT SEV. JOSEPH S. CLABX, D.D. 



Wb place over this article a heading 
which the reader may understand to be 
significant of ten volumes, on shelf 70 of 
the Congregational Library, varying in 
size from 200 duodecimo pages, to 650 
octavo, the whole bound in uniform calf 
gilt, with the following inscription, printed 
in gold letters on the outside of each : 

PEnilfTlD 
BT THI 

GONORXOATIONAL UNION 

OF ENGLAND & WALES, 

TO 

THE OONORBOATIONAL LIBRARY, 

BOSTON, 

Uhitid Statu. 

With this glittering sentence flashing 
full in the reader's face every time he 
opens one of these volumes, he hardly 
need be told that the gift is among the 
first fruits of a fraternal correspondence, 
which promises a rich harvest to both 
Associations, provided this husbandry of 
Christian fellowship be continued, as it is 
their mutual wish to continue it 

Of these publications, the first in chro- 
nological order, as also the largest, and 
by far the most valuable, is Hanbury's 
Historical Memorials, in three volumes 
royal octavo, containing, in the aggre- 
gate, 1,828 closely printed pages. The 



modest title, ** Historical Collections re- 
lating to the Independents or Congrega- 
tionalists, from their rise to the restora- 
tion of monarchy, A. D., MDCLX," 
scarcely begins to inform the reader what 
a vast store-house of rich and rare, and 
well arranged documents he is entering. 
If, however, afler reading a short preface, 
he will glance his eye over the thirty-six 
pages which it takes to give the mere 
headings and contents of the eighty-five 
chapters into which the whole is divided, 
there will rise upon his imagination a 
tolerably adequate idea of what is before 
him. 

While the Congregational Union of 
England and Wales tell us, through their 
Committee, that they '*have zealously 
promoted the publication " of this great 
work, they desire to have it known that 
** the undivided responsibility of author- 
ship " belongs to Mr. Hanbury ; '* and 
whatever honor is due to the fidelity, 
patience and skill with which the mate- 
rials have been collected and arranged, is 
exclusively his own." 

The object of the author's laborious 
undertaking, and the issue to which his 
untiring industry has brought it, cannot 
be better set forth than in the following 



1859.] EngUah Cbnffreffoiumal Publicatums. Vt9 

paragraph finom his preface : — " A histori- Deacon Hanburj makes no sach claim ; 

cal collection — Corpns Historicum — ade- though ** some advantages, he apprehends, 

quate in all respects to the present and will have resulted from his not being 

still increasing importance of the Chris- swayed by any professional interest to 

tian Denomination to which the author is seek to elevate unduly the pastoral office 

confirmed in his attachment, afWr a sys- and character." 

tematic scrutiny more persevering than Commencing with Robert Browne and 
perhaps any other layman ever engaged << the Brownists/' and winding up with 
in — is yet a deficiency in ecclesiastical Thomas Venner and the " Fifth Monarchy 
literature. So successful has been the Men " — a space of nearly a century's 
accumulation of contumely heaped by duration — ^tbese Historical Memorials con- 
interested parties upon our sires, that they tain notices, more or less full, of every 
who should have inherited their spirit important person, paper and event, on 
have been deterred from searching into eidier side of the water, which the author 
their merits, and from duly dbplaying deemed capable of illustrating his subject 
their virtues. Their very names seemed No transaction or document appears to be 
about to be lost Now, however, enough passed by because of its unfavorable 
is recovered to evince that our predeces- aspect towards the Independents ; nor 
sors — our Fathers and Confessors — were pressed into service, merely because it 
mighty in word and deed ; and that to would serve them. Yet is he able to say, 
the dismay of their calumniators, their |n the concluding paragraph of the last 
renown is spreading far and wide, with volume : *' If a synopsis of the results of 
the dominion to which they and their our labors in the Historical Memorials be 
immediate descendants gave existence, looked for, the following is submitted as 
and which promises to be as enduring as among the leading points which make up 
the world.'* the sum of these results. Herein, obloquy 
The work is munly documentary, and derived from the Brownists, is removed : 
the compiler's plan in arranging the doc- The personal characters of the earliest 
uments has been to ** dispose the words promoters of Independency are estab- 
and deeds in the closest connection with lished beyond the possibility of success in 
what occasioned them." Nothing could any future attempt seriously to damage 
be more simple ; nothing more satisfac- them : The body of the Independents is 
tory than this arrangement The Con- relieved from the censure of groundless 
gregationalists and their opposers are both separation : Political and Ecclesiastical 
allowed to tell their own story, to argue facts and principles are brought out, which 
their own cause, and, as near as possible, an unjustifiable timidity allowed to be 
they are brought up in immediate con- covered with apparent neglect : — Inde- 
nection, face to face. This arrangement pendents possess withal, a denominational 
gives an almost dramatic interest to what work comprising a continuation of docu- 
would otherwise be insufferably dry. To mentary evidence not exceeded in inter- 
abridge long documents without pervert- est and importance by any, in its depart- 
ing their sense; to connect historical ment of ecclesiastical literature." So 
events so as to keep up the proper much for the first in this series of publica- 
sequence of cause and effect ; to explain tions. 

the manifold relations of persons and The second in chronological order is a 

parties to the subject in hand, which the duodecimo volume of 896 pages, entitled 

author is all the while under the necessity " Jethro : A system of Lay Agency, in 

of doing, requires more complete exemp- connection with Congregational churches, 

tion from human prejudice and infirmity for the diffusion of the gospel among our 

than most mortals will dare to claim. Home Population." Thb is a prize essay. 



182 



Oomgregaticml Thedhgiedl SenrnwUs. [ Aran^ 



tiiat as granted, our 2,600 clmrclies need 
an annual sapplj of 180 ministen, to say 
nothing of the waste places to be ex- 
plored. The following table ennmerates 
the students in oar seminaries, from which 
we are, sabetantialljr, to receive onr sup- 
plies; — the number to be lessened by 
death, bj those who become foreign mis- 
nonaries, hy future teachers, and by those 
who fail to complete their course. It is 
with a view to its bearing upon our future, 
as well as to make a permanent historical 
record, that we present the following 
table. 

!«— THEOLOGICAL SKMINART, BANQOB, Ms. 

PiORasois. 

BcT. BvooB Poin>,i Prcrideiir, Proftnor of SeelMl- 
dMtietd Htetoiy, and Lceiurar on Panlocml Daiics. 

Rtr. Gious Bbspaed, ProfetMr of Sacred Rhetorie. 

Ber. Darul Taloor Skitb, Profenor of Sacred Lit* 
entore* 

B«r. Bawjil HAmut, Proftunr of Christian Theology. 
RniDin LiouiTJATn. 



U.O. 



B.O. 


usr 


w.c. 


1857 


W.O. 


1866 


B.a 1866 


B.C. 


1867 


A.O. 




B.G. 


1868 


B.G. 


1868 


B.O. 


1866 


D.O. 


— 


B.O. 


1866 


Wat.0. 


1868 



NamtM, Ruidtnet. 

Thomas H. Rich, Bangor, 

Geoffge H. Shepud, do. 

JMni B. ThozHon, do. 

(6) 

SimoB Claib. 

NamtM and Raiiitnee. 

J. B. C. BeauUeo, BarltngUm, Tt. 

WiUlam H. Bcemm, Bomon, Ms. 

George P. CUtlln, Upton, Ms. 

Henry T. Emmcns, HtUowell, 

K. B. Glidden. Newcastle, 

8. Gerard Noreross, Dixfield, 

Bdwln B. Palmer, Belfast, 

Bdwin P. Parker, do. 

Chaxles B. Rke, Conway, Ms. 

M. L. lUcbardMn, Winchester, Ms. 

Thomas S. Bobk, Gorham, 

(11) 

MiDDLB Class. 

Daniel E. Adams, Keene, N. U. 

Smith Baker, Jr., Litchfield, 

vBamoel D. Bowker, BIddeford, 

Lewis 0. Brascow, Brewer, 

John W. Obickering, Portland, 

Walter E Darling, Sc. Stephens, N. B. 

Andrew Fosdick, Merrimack, N. H. 

David S. Hibbard, Usbon, N. H. 

S. C. Higgios, Tbomdike, 

Rowland B. Howard, Leeds, 

Benjamin W. Pond, Bangor, 

George A. Patnam, Dunbarton, N. H. 



Aoct of Theo. Ed. 
Bangor, 
do. 
do. 



Graduauid.* 
R.U. 



A.C. 1864 



B.C. 1866 
B C. 1866 

A.C. 1866 
B.C. 1866 



B.C. 1867 
B.O. 1853 
B.C. 1857 

B.C. 1857 

B.C. 1866 
B.C. 1867 
U.C. 



1 Finding that in seTeral of the Seminary Cata- 
logues the title of " D.D." does not appear, we have 
oonelnded to omit it from all the members of the 
Tarions faculties, lest, in attempting to supply the 
lack, we should commit some sad blunder; we wish 
It distinctly understood, bowvrer, that each of tha 
Piotaton Is alxMdj a ** D J>V' or dmnrtf to ba. 



JokB G. BUkir, Botloa, lb. 

Charles Whlttiar, B-AmMtazy 

(U) 

JunoB Class. 

BbnMMT Bean, Conway, N. H. 

Charles F. Boyaton, WiseasMtt, 

Israel Carlton, HaTerhUl, Ms. 

James P. Chambsrlatai, Honohulu, 8. 1. 

C. B. Daggsti, Giwne, 

Samuel 8. Gardner, Brewtr, 

Charles L. Nichols, Stark, 

Geocge H. PIckard, Pwdiind, 

Edwin BMd, Bath, 

Isaiah P. Smith, Bridgton, 

Samuel W. Tenney, Norrldgwuek, 

Horaoe Toothaker, Holden, 

Joseph Walker, Portland, 

John 0. Watson, Gllfbrd, N. H. 

G. C. WllsoD, Jefferson, 

(16)TozAL,48. 

n— THEOLOGICAL SEBONART, ANDOTSR, Ml. 

Eacultt. 

RcT. Caltot E. Siowb, Assodata Protswr of Saerad 
Literature. 

Rer. EowAEM A. Pais, Abbot Professor of Christian 

Theology. 

ReT. Eluah p. BAmmows, Hitchcock Professor of the 
Hebrew Language and Literature. 

Ber. Ausrn Phb.p8» Bardet Professor of Saeied 
Rhetoric. 

ReT. WoLXAii G. T. Shspb, Brown Professor of Bed. 
History, and Lecturer on Pastoral Theology. 

Prof. WouAM Rubsill, Teacher of Etoeutfam. 
Prof. GioBAS F. Root, Ttoeher of Music. 

Rmnun LionrriATn. 

Namet and Residenet, CM. Sun. 

William J. Batt, Fall RiTer, B.U. AndoTor. 

Charles R. Blisa, Longmeadow, W.C. do. 

t ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMB3 OF COLLEGES. 

Al.C. Alleghany College, Pa. 

A.C. Amherst College, Ms. 

Bel.C. Beloit College, Wis. 

B.C. Bowddn Cullego, Me. 

B.U. Brown Unlrersityi R- 1* 

D.C. Dartmouth Ccllege, N. H. 

F.C. Farmer's College. 

H.U. Harrard College, Ms. 

la.C. Iowa College, Iowa, 

inc. Illinois Collet, lU. 

K.C. Knox College, IlL 

L.U. London Uni?ersity, England. 

M.U. Madison Unirersliy, N. T. 

Mar.C. MarietU College, Ohio. 

M.C. MiJdlebury Collpge, Yt. 

N.J.C. New Jersey College, N. J. 

N.T.F.A. New York Free Academy, N. T. 

O.C. Oberlln College, Ohio. 

R.U. Rochester Unirenity, N. T. 

U.C. Union College, N. T. 

U.Yt. Uniyerdty of Termont, Yt. 

Wab.C. Wabash College, lod. 

Wat.C. Watcrvitle College, Me. 

W.R.C. Western Reserte College, Ohio. 

W.C. Williams Colkge, Mf. 

W.U. Wesleyan UnlTersi^, Ct. 

T.C. Tale Callage, Ct. 



1859.] 



Congr^aHotuU Theologiedl Semmariet. 



n-DD- 1 D-,(Lt. Port 
0. L. 6v<irl\, Ctlibi. V 



, ABdotv. IntikS J 



. Andonir. Ch.cIh E. Mllllkcn, Rmh*, N. H. 



183 



OnufttaUd. Samual BcDillio. UVgi Cornmll, Ot. 



BnJ.Di 

AnputDi 



0. WMdilttk, Ot W.O. 



b b. FBIr^DUd, f Juihibg. li. 1. f 

,'l P. Gilbert, Hid. aruTUta, H. T. 
iX-OcDdrteb. Htmdali, 
• Ooii, Lover Wuecfiinl, Tt. 

, 'I 
Cdila B. Unlbm, B 



■Id, CbMtir, H. B. 
, HoDino, p>. 
.iQjfr, Altnar.ll. r, 

ITilsoD, !>llJ<]ltUlD, 

It. ai;ad,ob:o, 
lb, HobukiD, N J. 



Edw(nli>. tVilkir, Amorllle.O. 1 

JrucA. Wllklio, B<T.il;, 
HnrrD. Woodnonli, AniloTn, 
Alb*n 1. Touif, [Usonc, H. B. 

(Ml 



D.Vt. ISiS Wllllioi 



Obulw V. Abbott, Puuu, O. 
LadMi H. Aluii, Dnrr, N. B. 
WaltnB.AItiudnr, Killlngli.O 



AlamaD S, button, Niv Uiven. Tt. 
Itanlit Bllw, W*rr», 
Wllllmiu II. Bovfii, N. PcotMiIK*, R. I. 
e. Huiwil liutiir, Kotthwnpua, 
Andn> J li'lapp, gOBttalHBploll, 
Orotp I(, fl.rk, Oror*ta, Vt 
JOMpb B. Clirk, WiM N*«t0B. 

Piritj B. [MTli, 



I, K. H. 



<, BMmu, HMdtem, 



Ont] N. AldtD, Hooiick Fi>m N. Y. 
Sui'l K. Aibarj, UiDltj, SuS'ifa. Bei 
Oairgi 1. Bud, Derbj, Vt. 

dioigcA B»kHlita. SbIi-di.Ci, 
<Jaorgct). UiKOfl, Qrn/tDD, 

WUItuu Oirc, Iicrc;, :t. U. 

WilUw Cnwfbrd, Bun, 

Bkhud CriiWDdon. EyruoH, H. 1. 

Tamphi Cuilir, HaiulllOD, 

Alouo t. beintDi, >11dillibiir]>, Vl. 

John W. Doiifr, NaHborr pon. 



BlAnI B. UuoD, Hllnulix, WK. 
L*l>lr E. MUHm, OiHfa, N. Y, 
CbulH V. Hod, Uoniwdl, Tl. 

Ptfr NultlDV, Ifgcbuje Filli, M*. 

""' "..TotHCII,. 



BdntilU. r 



I. P..I[, N«" V.>rlt<;itJ, N.I.F.A. 



CdnrdN iiadilud, OUnuuul, M 
Jobs B. UiDDS, >£■ rotk I'll}, 

C. 0. BiUDpiuiVi IlFIM>, lea*, 



Itlu.V WokoIl,-t.lllu.dB»,0. 
ucK. b. H «>d>»rib, L^m.. H. H. 
ruiteB B. Wllcbt, OtMlBB^ O. 
(OlToiUiUB. 



184 



Cbnfft^faidfua Theohffuua JSmihdHh. [AMl, 



m:-TBXOU>QlOlL DIPAltntBNT, TALI OOL. 
Niw Hativ, Gt. 

Vacdltt. 

Ber. Thiodou D. Wooubt, Preftdent. 

JOBAH W. Qbbs, ProfeMor ofSMnd Utentan. 

Ber. BLBAum T. VnoB, LMtorer on HomitofeiM. 

BtT. GiAuiroBT A. Ooo^BiOB, ProtaMtt of Um Pm- 
toml Charge. 

BtT. NoAB PoBTU, (Aetlof ) OlMk ProfiMM»r of Moiml 
Philoiophy and Metaphjsics. 

Ber. QiouM P. Vnauh UTlngitOB Pioft«or of 
DlTinhj. 

ToiOTsr DwiasT, Aniftant ProfoMor of Sacnd 
Literaton. 

RoiDurr InmriATis. 

Name$ and Rttidenu. Qrad. Stm. 

John Onno Baird, MUlbr^ T.C. 1862. Talo. 

William B.Dwigiit,Ooiurtaadiiop]*,T.O. 18M. Talo. 

Thooaa 8. Potwin, Now Hatoii, T.O. Tate. 

Sitnom OCAAi. 

John H. Ankotell, New Haron, T.C. 1866 

WUliam A. Boahw, WoreMter, Mi. T.C. 1866 

John Bdgar, QrMnwieh, T.O. 1866 

(8) 

MEDBU GLAtt. 

JoMph N Halloek, FnuikUoTiUo, L. I. T.C. 1867 

Horaea H. MeFarland, Naw Naran, T.C. 1863 

Jnatln Martin, New Tork CI^, T.C. 1866 

Wilder Smith, Hirtford, T.C. 1867 

JumoB CLAas. 

Ooorge B. Bacon, New Haven, 

Mardn S. Eiobelberger, Tork, Pa. T.C. 1868 
Bdgar L. Heermanoe, Kinderbook, N. T. T.C. 1868 

Philander H. Holliater, New Pxeeton, 

Daniel A. Miles, Worcester, Ms. T.C. 1868 

Chauncey D. Murray, Madison, 

Lari L. Paine, East Randolph, Ms. T.C. 1866 

Blisha S. Thomas, Wickford, R. I. T.C. 1868 

Timothy K. Wilcox, New Haren, T.C. 1866 
(9) 

Not Dbsioratbb. 

Solomon J. Dooglass, New Hayen. 
Jeweu G. Smith, New Haven. 
(2) T0TA^21. 

IT.— THBOLOQICAL INSTITUTB OF CONN., 
Bajt WiMDBoa Hill, Coim. 



Vaoultt. 

Ber. WuxuM Tbompsow, Nettleton Proftssor of Bib- 
lical Literature. 

Ber. Bdwaed A. LAwmnroi, Waldo Professor of 
Bcciediiucical Ulfltory and Pastoral Duty. 

Be?. RtOBBET Vbbmiltb, Professor of Christian The- 
ology. 

RniBBHT Qbaduatb. 

Nam* cmd Reiidene*. CoU. Bern. 

AlpheusJ. Pike,Topsfleld,Ms. D.C. 1866. Theo.Ins. 
(1) 

Sbhiob Clabb. 

Nam** and Ruidence. CotUgt. 

WiUiam A. Halloek, New Haren, Ct. A.C. 1866 

Bira Haskell, Dover, N. H. 

Henry S. Kelsey, BransviUe, N. T. A.C. 1866 

George A. Miller, Lyme, Ct. W.C. 1866 

■lyah Bobbins, Westford, Ct. T.C. 1866 
(6) 

MiOBLB OlABB. 

John B. Blliott, New London, Ct. A.O. 1867 

AoBtlA Oardnar, BaBt Windsor Hill, 0(. W.U. 1868 



deiotga Goodfteli, BbbI Windsor fam, Oi. W.C. 1867 
Henry W. Jonas, Hudson, Mich. AC. 1867 
Henry Powers, New Salem, Ms. 

(6) 

JonoB Claw. 

Lyman Bartlett, North Hadl^, Mb. A.O. 1866 

Walter Barton, Granby, Ms. A.C. 1866 

Charles H. Bissell, Beat Windsor HOl, Ct. W.C. 1868 
James W. Gmsh, FaU River, Ms. W.C. 1868 

Stephen Harris, FiUwiUiam, N. B. A.O. 1868 

Samuel B. Hoar, Uttleton, Ms. D.O. 1868 

Alden Ladd, Johnson, Tt. 

Herman Ollendorf, Hartford, Ot. 

Xdward A. Pieree, Tallmadge, 0. W.C. 1866 

Irvin St. John, Bdinboro-, Pa. 

Bichard D. WlUiama, New Marlboro*, Ms. 

(11) Total, 22. 

▼.— THBOLOGICAL DBPABTMENT, OBBBUV 
COLLBGB, Obbblih, Ohio. 

Faodltt. 

Bev. Obabub G. Fihitbt, PrtsldMit, and rrnfcsBoi of 
Theology, and of Mental and Moral PIkllosophy. 

Bev. John Moboav, ProaMsor of BiMleal Llcantaie. 

Cbablbb H. Pbicfibld, Instmetor of Hebrew. 

Bev. Hbnbt B. Pick, Profisaor of Saetad RhMorfc, 
and Adjunct Profhssor of Mental and Monl Phi- 
losophy. 

Bev. Jambs B. Walku, Lcetnrsr on the HatmMiTef 
Science with Bevealed Beligion. 

Assoeiate Professor of IlMolflgy. 

Sbitiob Class. 



OrttAUiiM.1 



Names and Ruidinee. 
Alexander Bartlett, Putnam, 
John G. W. Cowles, OberUn, 

Henry C. Hitchcock, do. — 

WlllUm Kendriek, Blisabethtown, 

S. Frank Millikan, Lyndon, HI. 
Johnnon Wright, Whitehall, N. T. 
(6) 

MiDBLB Clabb. 

George H. AUep, Fall River, Ms. 

John F. Bonghton, Wolcott, N. T. 

Henry W. Carpenter, Oberlin, 

B. Mllo Cravath, Saratoga, Minn. 
Robert Hovenden, Ingersoll, C. W. 

D. Jerome Jones, Jackson, Mich. 

€korge Juchau, London, Bug. _- . ..... 

Charles Thompson, Brooklyn, N. T. 

Otis B. Waters, Union City, Mieh. 

(9) 

JiTinoB Clabb. 

E. Hudson Baker, Battle Creek, Mich. 
William M. Brooks, Laporte. 

John H. Crumb, Pbarsalia, N. T. 

Henry Matson, Oberlin, .^». __ 

J. D. Millard, Marietta, 

Leroy G. Warren, Russia. 
(6) Total, 21. 

YI.— CHICAOO THEOLOGICAL 8XMINABT, 
Chioaoo, iLLUOa. 

Faoultt. 

Bev. JoBBPB Hatbm, Carpenter PraftBsor of Stb- 
tematic Theology. 

Rev. Samubl C. Babtlbit, Prolbasor of BibUeal Tiia- 
ology. 



1 We are nnabte to flU out this eohuaa ; a dash 
dssi g nat as bars, bb elsawhars, suoh as an not gmd- 



1859.] 



Congregational Theological Seminaries. 



185 



Brr. F. W. Viui, Profiffsor of Sacred Rhetoric and 

Homiltftirg. 

Kejres Profctior of Ecclesiutlcal History. 

LBCTDRBRfl. 

The following gentlemen are appointed ai LectareiB 
on topics specially assigned by the Directors : 

Rev. Edward Bskcrks, on Charch Institutions. 

Rev. Jonathan Blancbard, on the connection of the 
OIJ and Nhw Tesumencs. 

Rer. A. M. SturtbvamTi Relation of Seoti to the 
Charch. 

Rev. H. L. Crapih, 

ReT. J. B. Wauur, The connection of Science and 
Religion. 

ScnoR Clam. 

Nanus and Residence. Oraiuated. 

Charles M. Barnes, Galesburg, K.O. 18&6 

Daniel H. Blake, do. K.C. 1856 

Henry 0. McArthnrf Chicago, K.C. 1866 

Stephen Morrill, St. Johnsbury, Tt. D C. 1856 

Robert Samuel, Bamet, Tt. D.O. 1866 
(6) 

MisDLB Class. 
[It was thonght best not to organise a Middle dais 
the first year.] 

JoHxoB Class. 
Frederic W. Beeeher, Oalesbarg, 
George Dana Blodgettt Pawtucket, R. I. 
William Loals Bray, Slk Orore, Wis. 
SamM Watson Brown, Winehendon, lis. 
Mleah Sampson Croeweli, Chicago, 
Benjiunin Durham, Jr. do. 

George T. Higley, Ashland, Ms. 
Wm. Henry Uildreth, Darenport, la. 
Edwin Luther Jaggar, Burlington, la. 
John W. Miller, Jacksonrille, 
Farquharson Q. McDonald, Dubuque, la. 
Alexander Parker, Irvine, Scotland, 
James Parker, Chicago, 
Jacob P. Richards, Museada, Wis. ' 
Swing Ogden Tade, Denmark, la. 



W.O. 1867 

AC. 1868 

T.C. 1860 

A.C. 1866 

B.C. 1864 

A.C. 1867 

Ia.C. 1856 

Ia.C. 1867 

I.e. 1868 

0.0. 1868 



Ia.G. 1868 



[spbcul ooumsi.] 
J. Wing Allen, Sylvaola, 0. 
Frederic Alley, Johnstown, Wis. 
DaviUo William Comstock, Galesburg, Mich. 
Henry Metcalf Daniels, Enfield, Ms. 
Charles Hancock, M.D., Dover. 
Charles Alexander Ueirey, Chicago. 
Eiward Uildreth, Sterling, Ms. 
Isaac Bakiir Smith, Princeton. 
Frederick Wheeler, Waukesha, Wis. 
(24) Total, 29. 

From the above lists we gather the fol- 
lowing Summary of Students : 

Clasbb. 



Bangor, 

Andover, 

Tale, 

East Windsor, 1 

Ooerlin, 

Chicago, 



. Grad. 


Sen. 


Mid. 


Jun. 


Total. 


8 


11 


U 


16 


43 


8 


86 


42 


48 


129 


8 


a 


4 


9 


•21 


,1 


6 


5 


11 


22 





6 


9 


6 


21 





6 





24 


29 



Total, 16 



66 



74 



108 



266 



By which it will be seen that we 'have 
a fair prospect of the graduation, this year, 
of 66 persons, now members of the Senior 
classes ; or, if every one should enter upon 
the actual work of the ministry, we have a 
little more than one half of the number 
most immediately and urgently needed. 



It may not be amiss, in this connection, to 
insert the number of Theological Seminaries 
belonging to the denomination, with which we 
interchange ministers, — as represented in their 
latest reports. 

The Presbttbkians of the United States 
are classified into nine distinct bodies, not 
reckoning a few churches attached to foreign 
organizations, and omitting a fragment or 
two. Of those bodies, six report themselves as 
haying Seminaries as follows : 



Old School. 
Prloreton, N. J., 
Western. Pa., 
Union, Va., 
Danville, ICy., 
Columbia, S. C, 

New School, 
Union, N. Y., 
Lane, 0., 
Auburn, N. T^ 
So. Western, Tenn., 



Orad, 

Fro/t. Students. Uutmat. 

I 182 29 

4 96 37 

4 21 7 

8 40 9 

6 40 9 



6 

4 
8 
2 



Blackburn, 111., Mot organiasd. 

United Presbyttrian. 
Newburgh, N. Y., 2 
Allefchanjr, Pa., 8 

Xenia. 0., 2 

Oxford, 0., 2 

Reformed Presbjfterlan Omtral Sjfnod, 
2 



Associate Reformed Synod of the South, 
Ersklne, 1 

Cumberland. 
Cumberland, Tenn., — 6 

Bethel, Tenn., — 16 

Or, the Seminaries (in operation,) tad 
churches compare thus : 



Old School. 
New School. 
United Fresoyterian, 
Beformed Preeb/terlan 

General Synod, 
Associate Reformed 

Synod of the South, 
Cumberland, 



Seminarlsi. 
6 

4 
4 



1 
2 



Ch's. 

8,867 

1,686 

676 

88 

iVblrqi. 



Minlstan. 

2,468 

1,618 

429 



• Including two whose class is not designated. 



In addition to these, as reported bj the 
bodies themselves, the American Almawy^y 
for 1859 mentions,— 

frofy, Stud^ttt 
Theo. Dep. West'n IlessrTe OoIL, C, 8 * 14 ' 
New Albany, 0., 8 16 

at in operation in 1857-8. 



VOL. I. 



24 



M ^ Mxtb^-ff&tUSii [J^abf 



.': '. t a 



HEETING-HOnSES : 

fcONtoffltED iistoiacALLY AND stooifekirinEtf . 

BT RBT. H. M. DBZTBB.^ 



' It wiU lidt ktk ^teciddkt of ettinoldinr service at ftinends, the tAMervitn6e of 
wbicli caiiaed Hie not yeiy coinpiict nor Christmas, kc. Sec., led th6m tb a jposltioil 
^phonioos compoimd standing at the of feeling and practice in regard to edifices 
head of this article, to be so extensiyeij for Divine worship which was, no doubt, 
in vM in New Enj^and, as tibe designation d; kn e:fctreme resdove frbm thitt of those 
tf buildings s^i^l;^ ^i«<&ted fbr the wor- who harried them out of the green fields 
Pidpof &A At hbni^ otir Others h«d of Northeastern England. They were 
ezpMBneticecJf the legal f^U bbBged, at first, to McUuble by steahh, 
went out from the established Church and where they could. Bradford, in his 
must leave even the name which they had *' Plimouth Plaiitatioh,'* — so happily re- 
fticKni kccWcvitM tb -attach tb their con- covered of late from its supposed irrepara- 
secinted edifices, behind them; that if ble loss — says (p>^ll) they **kept their 
thegr woulj be dissenters, they intist go meetings every ISabodi in on^ pl»ce or 
wiinout ** dhurches'," and be eohtent with other, exercinng the worship of God 
some uncanonical and illeg&l shelter for aniongst themselves, notwithstanding all 
their irregular devotions. This set them y« diligence & malice of their advensa- 
to thinking of the Scriptufal aJB{)ect oi the ries." Thus naturally, as well as con- 
matter, and th^y Were not long in cothing scibntiously, before their emigration, they 
to the conclusion that th^ use Of the word grew to call the houses where they ** kept 
" Church " as the appellation o! tlie place their meetings,*' rOeetingAouses, And 
where the Church meets, is unatlthoHzed though neither the mdst convenient nor 
by th^ New Testament In their reaction elegant designation, ^ere is yet enough 
from an overdose of eeclesiasticism, the Of historic interest abotit the terai to en- 
same, circumstances which led them to dis- sure the indefinite continuance of its use 
card marriage by the minister, a religious among the sons of the fhthers of New 

1 To MT* eneamberiog the pi«« of this article England. 

with too fire^tent fook-botet, t iketo Bfire to make The first njoeting-places fbr Sabbath 

lenenl refertooe to th^ following »mhorfti:ei, which worship on this sbil, ^etk hOt evten tilfeet- 

haTe heeo eooniltod In Ui prepantion, tIz : Brad- . , Vrn ▼ 

toik^MMti^ 0/ i^mouth J^a^i^^^ mg-houses. The Jamestown company 

siastkal HUtory, and Annals of )SkiUm, aarrTs's first worshipped tlndet an AWning Of old 

jBRjiort 0/ Vorthesiery ttacSer's Hittwy of Ply- g^ils tied to three or fotir ti^es. The 

mowlA, Riuwtli*t Pilgrim Memorials, Fennusdn't dm* ^ ^.i^ • n ^ r j»j j 

^•book nf ArchiuliL, BarbT*. huOHM Col- ^'^^^"^ «P«^* ^^^'^ ^^^^ L*^"^ «-^*>' «°^^' 

ketions of Mom., Morton's thvo JSHii^Kimr* Ifiwio- the cedars of Clark's island ; Winthrop's 

no/, Clarke's Congtegaiionai C^ntnka of JfciM., company, under the kuge Charlestowh 

Bishop Meade's Old Chwrehes amd Families of Vir- 1...LT2 ^'Ui ^ j 

k^n.«. Lawi^nce's Nac ilampsMrs oHird^./ood. ^*^ ^ ^^^ Barnstable emigrants around 

ir^i's C/^srtjkss ttfLondony winkle'f JEntiuh «iiA«- the great rock at Mattacheeset ; the Mid- 




, f Haiit's hrr^* Ckwekes, San^^a History of dietowh company under the old ehn of 

J^'^'^^!'!^ .l.J^J^^ Mattabesett. And the " Conimort House " 

Morse's Sherbom and HoUtston, Crowell^s History of 

tiiezy Field's Ctnunffiai Addreu,Bi\^B^B FUhoboth, ^^ Plymouth, and the " Great House" at 

]ii|dington^s HUto^ V* ^ i<< CftWeA, ChSaiUstou^ Mishawum, served the purpose of Sabbath 

Drake's irUtory of Bo^.Baoot^n ^^^^ ^' worship as well as weekly dielter, untU 

comsu, and other Toim HiMJorws, Recoras, ind ^ 1^ j\ • « : «' 1 •^^ tj» 1. 

HW<»taii>im«M,too.ana.uMm»aoD. <»««• ttaKi^ and niatemb could b« 



1859.] 



Meding-S[qu9e8. 



w 



■pared for the erection of a meeting-hoase. 
In the mminer of 1622, the FlymoQth 
colonists, u Bradford tayt, {PItm. Plan., 
p. IS6,) " builte & fort widi' good timber, 
both strong and come)]', which was of 
good defence, made with « date rafe ft 
batllmeots, on which tbdr ordnance were 
mounted, and wber they kepta coDstante 
watcb, espetiallj in time of danger. It 
serred them allso for a meeting-hon«e, 
and was fitted accordinglj for that use."' 
This seems to have been occupied bj 
diem for public worship nntil I64S, when 
it is recorded that a meeting-hoiue was 
erected — dimensions not given — with a 
bell tart«t, which stood tilll683; when a 
new one took its place, 45 ft. by 40 ft, 
and 16 ft. in the walls, nnceiled, vritb diai- 
mond glass, and a small cupola for the 
belL 

The Charlestown and fioston Church 
appear to have worsbippod in the " Great 
House " until so tai^ge a number had re- 
moved to the Boston side of the Cbsries 
river, as to make it inconvenient to croM 
the &TTJ, when meetings were held nnder 
the trees on Copps hill, or in private 
dwellings, until the return of Wilson from 
England in 1632, when £120 was raised 
hy voluntaiy contribution for the erection 



of a house of worship, and of one for Hr. 
Wibon.on the Boston nde, — the CbaiW 
town people buTing the " Great House" 
for £10, and nnng that ftr their Sabbath 
convenience nutil 1639. Wilson's meat 
ing-honse was immediately put np, on the 
south ade of what is State street, on the 
spot now occnpied by " Bracer's Build- 
ing.'' It had mud walls and a thatched 
roof, and the following is believed to be a 
tolerably correct reprenentation of its gen- 
eral appearance, and is interesting as in- 
dicaliog the external auspices of pubti6 
worship in Boston during the first teil 
years of its history as a town. 




BhHuiHit, m Dtnohir ot Um But IniUk Conipur— 
who vu BccnIUT at Um Nev NtUmlud ColoDj , 
■ad In lliat capicltj amnpoadFd idth Oot. Bnd- 



d PljKK 



lBlffi7)ir 



mipUoa of tbi PUiHin MUhownt, from ■ tMIu. 
H<Bf(, "Upon Ibt hill Ouj tun ■ UifBi^iun 
boBM, irlih ■ BM mof, luda or CbJak iiiaB pUnlu, 
■lAjad wltb oaklHuu, apoD tbetopBT wbkb Uhj 
ban ilx cuBOu, which iih«at Ino tall* ef Anr ud 
At* ponDdi, uul ooDDtad ilHinmnDdlDimuUT. 
The Imnr put tbtj b» lot ttwlr ChuTsh, vbnv th<r 
pnftdh Oh Sundftji uid the uinal holldftji. Tb«j 

■nioek, In front of tht apt^'i dooi ; tbtj hiTC 






• ltd hj • 



auo in hli hud ; ud *o ther inanh In laod nd>r, 

tnuUUd bj J. R. Brodbaad, IB JIWHtTt ftlgriiK 
Mmtrialt, if. 131-147. 



Very Nmilar to this was the first BMet- 
ing-house in Dedham, erected in 1637 and 
occupied until 1673 ; which was a low 
building, 36 feet by 20 leet, and IS f^ 
high, with a thatched roof, upon which — 
by an ordinance of the town, passed fbr 
security against fire, — perinaneutly leaned 
a long ladder- As the popolating of Kew 
England went on, we find that one of the 
first acts of every settlement usually was 
to make arrangements fbr the building of 
a meeting-house, and that the idea which 
ruled in its erectiou was that of the sim- 
plest and cheapest place of convenient ' 
assemblage and shelter, while engaged in 
tAe worehip of God. Sometimes, as at 
Plymouth, the idea of protectiw was 
added. The first meeting-house of Dor- 
cluster was " Burroupded by palisadoes," 
wjth a seotinelat the gate; and the peo- 
ple not only made it tbe pl^ee of deporit 
ibr their militai? stores, but used to carry 
tbeir plate and otiter valnablee thitber 



188 



Meetinff'JBtousei. 



[APBlt^ 



lughUj for safe keeping. The meeting- 
honte in DoTer, N. H. was sarroanded, in 
1667, by a *« fortification " of logs 100 feet 
•qnare. The first meeting-house in Mid- 
dletown, Ct, was a log hnt 20 feet square, 
10 feet from sill to plate, and enclosed by 
heavy log pickets desgned to be Pequot- 
proo£ The first, in Hingham, Ms., had 
a palisade, fi>r defence against the In- 
dians. The first, of Concord, N. EL, 
(1780) was of logs, 40 feet by 25 feet, 
where worship was held for 20 years, 
daring which time also it served the pur- 
pose of a fort ; the people carrying their 
gnns to meeting, and stacking them in the 
entry under chaige of a sentinel, while 
the best gun in the parish, in the hands ot 
the pastor. Rev. Timothy Walker, went 
into the pulpit, and leaned there during 
time of service. The first meeting-house 
of Shelbume, Bis. — ^thongh the town was 
not settled nntil near the date of the 
Revolution — vras built of logs, plastered 
between the joints. The church in San- 
disfield, Ms., was organized and Rev. 
Cornelius Jones, its first pastor, was or- 
dained, in a 6am. 

These meeting-houses of the first epoch 
of New England were, then, mere rude 
enclosures, affording shelter from the ele- 
ments, and the opportunity to hear the 
Word in safety, without regard to much 
comeliness of aspect; oflen, if not always, 
used without formal ** dedication," and 
without thought of any special sacredness 
as attached to them. They appear to have 
been furnished with rough benches on 
each side of a central passage; the male 
portion of the audience occupying the 
one side, and the female, the other. The 
pulpit was but an iurailed stand or desk, 
in keeping with the other meagre appoint- 
ments of the placed — in one instance, 
(Meriden, N. H.,) described as ** a rude 
enclosure resembling a pen." 

As the country became more ^ttled, 
and there were more people to hear the 
Word, and share in the expense of pub- 
lic worship ; as the general style of pri- 
vate living advanced with the increasing 



opulence of the commnnity; and as the 
disappearance of the savages favored 
safer, and therefore more numerous Sab- 
bath assemblages, these first stmctures 
were outgrown and disused, and laiger 
and more pretentions buildings were 
erected in Uieir place. Where, by any 
peculiar good fortune, the town was in 
possession of a bell for Church purposes, 
the house erected had reference to that 
The old meeting-house of 1668, at New 
Haven, was quadrangular, with a pyra- 
midal roof-— the apex surmounted by a 
belfry, whose bell-rope came down in the 
middle of the broad aisle. Dr. Bacon 
thinks its gallery stairs were on the out- 
side of the building. The second Plymouth 
meeting-house had a bell-turret The 
ancient houses in Andover and Chebacco, 
Ms., had the same adornment That 
built in Newbury, Ms., in 1700, had four 
gables and a turret, and within, the roof 
was open to the ridge. That erected in 
West Springfield, Ms., in 1702, and which 
was 42 feet square on the ground, had a 
roof running up from each side towards a 
central point, which was crowned by a 
two-story turret, rising to a height of 92 
feet from the ground-— with gables of unique 
pattern — and this, although, until 1748, 
they had no bell, but assembled for worship 
at the sound of a drum.^ The Second, in 

1 A TOto WM pused in Ilaverhlll, Ms., io 16&0, 
** thnt Abraham Tyler blow bis horn half an hour 
before meeting on the Lord^s Day, and on leotnre 
daya, and hare one pound of pork per annum, from 
each fkmily, for the Bame/' In Westfield, Bfa., • 
man was paid 25 ■bilUngs a year to beat a drum to 
call the people to meeting. In South Iladley, they 
assembled *' at the blowing of a eoocb." About 
1816, the first bell in SuUlTan Co., N. H., waa pro- 
cured, and so great waa the intereet felt io regard to 
it, that it went by the name of the ** Meriden Idol!** 
In 1638, it was voted in Sulem, Ms., that Nathaniel 
Porrer *' shall haue for the swerpinge of ye meeting- 
house and ye ringinge of ye bell fiftie shillings per 
annum " In Thornton, N. H., it was voted, in 1798, 
that '* the meeting-hou^e be sweeped six times a 3 ear 
by a saxnn, rhosen by vendue." Robert Bassrtt was 
desired (May 17, 1647,) by the General Court of New 
Hareo, " to beat both the first and second drums on 
Lord's dajs and Lecture days, upon lAc meeting' 
koMse, that so those who live far off may bear them 
the mors di*tineUy." 



1869:] 



Matrnff-Sifittei, 



m 



Middleboroagh, M*., had two " ridge-polei 
aad ibnr gable eods." Tbe aocieot meet- 
ing house, itill standing in Hingham, Ms. — 
the oldest dow in New England — built in 
IGSO, and which was 56 feet bj4Sfeet, 
with 20 feet posts, has a " pjrramidal " 
roof, running up toward the center from 
each aide ; crowned with a belfry. The 
following Tiewof the third ediSce, erected 
bf tbe Pirst Church of Boston, and occu- 
piedbythemfroml713,until 1808, (which 
stood where " Joy's Building " now stands, 
in Washington Street,) will give some 
idea of this style of structure— tbough of 
coarse this edifice woa larger and more 
elaborate than those of the same class, 
built and occupied in towns of less pecu- 
niary ability. 




The reaction of feeling against tho 
English Chorch and all its belongings, 
appears to have been still too great to 
permit our fathers, generally, even to 
attempt to approximate toward the extei^ 
nal style of Cburch edifice which had 
been left behind in England; and they 
accordingly fell back upon the first prin- 
ciples of arcbitecture, and seem to hare 
sought merely to secure a building spa- 
cious enougb to contain the people who 
desired lo worship together; that should 
be plain enough within and without to 
guard against ecclesiastical pride; 'and 
that sbould externally suggest, in no 
point, the shrines of that Cburch which 
had driven them forth into this wilder- 



Den. Hence aron diat i^le of ediBco 
which — with onessential modifieatiotu — 
was regnant throughout New England for 
more than a centary, and which, froiA it! 
external resemblance to the most obTious 
and nsefiil adjunct to our farm-botuea, 
UMd to be called — rather inevitably than 
irreverently — the " barn meeting- house." 
It was originally a perfectly plun and 
semi-cubical erection, without porch, 
tower, steeple, or chimney, and differed, 
in oulade aspect, from an overgrown 
bam, almost wholly in the fact tiiot it 
had a door on three of its sides, with tiro 
(somedmes three) rows of small windowi 
piercing its walls, ibterrupted lb their 
continuity on that side where the pulfnt 
was placed, by a larger window, on I 
level with ila exigencies of light and ren- 
tilation. From 40 to 60 windows was tbe 
allowance for such a boilding. Its sic* 
*aried with the size and aUlity of the 
town, and number of people to be accom- 
modated ; ranging from 86 feet by 80 feet, 
to 72 feet by 6S feet; tbe average lengdi 
and width of near forty, built between 
1653 and 1812, whose dimensions He be- 
fore us, being a trifle over 50 feet by 40 
feet The height of the peats varied frmn 
16 feet to 27 feet,— the average of those 
on our minutes being not flir from SO 
feet The main front door was placed in 
the middle of one of the long sides; the 
pulpit being in the center of the ctiier, 
directly opposite. The side door* were 
placed in the center of each of tbe 
ends of the building. Galleries were 
built along the tide over the front door 
opposite the pulpit, and across the two 
ends over the side doors. Tbe pal[Ht 
was lofty, and was reached by a flight of 
stain on its HgbL That part where the 
speaker was to stand, projected semi- 
circularly from the general front, and 
over bead — on its slender iron rod — im- 
pended the " sounding-board," which 
looked not unlike a huge eztingnisher, 
made ready on some signal to descend 
and ibrever put out the light of eloquence 
and piety that wm expected to shine 



m 



J^eei^rJ^ow^. 






by ftaisii ninniog np in t^ro or thr^e of 
tbe ogrnen of the buildlog ; which stain 
wert often naad as seats £ar the children, 
thopgh these sometimes (Popkins' New- 
baiy SenkiOD,) ^ on " a seat in the alley 
fixed to the onlfnde of the pews." 

The process of bnilding was gradual. 
Not onfrequentlj years passed fifVsr the 
frame was raised, before the structure was 
complete. At South Hadley, Ms., the 
Irame was put up in 1 722, and though the 
houje w,as ^not large, containing only 
^me pews in the body of it," being built 
by the personal labor of the town, it was 
not fini^ed until the close of 1 737. 

In Bedford, K. H., the frame was raised 
in 1755, and in 17^7, a committee was 
appcHuted by the town to board and shin- 
l^e it, and another to provide glass and 
sashes. In 1 760 ** long seats " were tem- 
porarily constructed, so that the edifice 
4sottld be used. In 1764, it was voted to 
build a pulpit — which was put up in 1766. 
In 1766, oil with which to paint the exte- 
lior, and glass for the windows, were 
provided, but the town not being ready 
lo use them, they were " lent out ** to such 
inhabitants as could give security for 
their safe keeping and return ; one man 
having **six squares," another **four," 
another " twenty-four," another ** twelve," 
another ^ fifteen," another "• a quart of 
oil,"&c. &c. In 1784, it was voted <«to 
lot out and sell " ground for pews ; and 
in 1.785, (thirty years after the frame 
was raised) the meeting-house was **• fin- 
ished according to vote." This fairly — 
though over-tutUly — illustrates the gen- 
eral process of meeting-house erection in 
those days. As soon as the firame was 
covered in, and the floor boarded, and 
possibly the lower tier of windows glazed, 
(the others being temporarily boarded 
over) rough benches were put up, and 
the house began to be used. It was then 
gradually finished, as the ability of the 
people permitted. Squares on the floor 
about 6 feet by 6 feet, were originally 
^ieeded by the town to individuals, as 



they becmif 9 ^^jl^le to purchase them, op 
which those individuals erected pews to 
suit themselves (in Pedham they were 
called ** pitts," and were 5 feet by 4^ 
feet) — each being obliged to build hb 
own pew, keep it in repair, and ** main- 
tain all the gl^iss agidnst it" Subse- 
quently, it became usual to require the 
pews to be ** built with winscot worke, 
and ^ of a kind." The first meeting- 
bouse in Hampton, N. H. (1712, or there- 
abouts) at first had but one. pew, and that 
for the minister's fiunily ; the rest of the 
people sitting on long benches in an order 
fixed by a yearly committee, who *' digni-' 
fied" the house, by assigning what was 
considered the best seat to the man who 
paid the highest tax in town ; and so on. 
In Stratham, N. H., it was voted, when 
the coDunittee had thus ** dignified" the 
congregation, that •" every person that is 
Seated shall Set in those Seats or pay 
Ave shillings Fir day for every day they 
set out of those seates in a disorderly 
manner to advaince themselves higher in 
the meeting-house." 

In Dedham, Ms., the greatest tax-payer 
had the highest seat Sometimes this 
was modified,^ as in Bedford, Ms., where, 
in 1731, and many subsequent years, a 
committee was appointed to *'seat the 
meeting-house," and ** have respect unto 
them that are 50 years old, and upwards ;" 

1 In HolUitoo, Mfl., the town ohoae a oommittM in 
1749, '* to dignifjr" tht seata of thair maeUng-boiiaa, 
than Joat oomplatad. Tha oommittoa repoitad (bat 
tha " fbra saat balow >' ahoald ba marked flrat ; tba 
aaoond, aeoond ; tha third balow and tha tnm teat 
in tha gallaiy, aqual and tha third in dignity ; and ao 
on to layen dagreaa of dignity. They alao propoaad 
that tha proparty InToloa of 1748 ba tha rola for Mat> 
ingtha houM, "haying a proper regard to agr.*> 
Tha town aoceptad their report, bat *^ Geo. lairbank, 
John Lealand, John Twitehali and Stephen and 
Jona. Foattr proieatad againat it on theae groonda— 
(1) that the meeting was not legal, (2) that it was not 
opened legally, and (8) that the role of aeating adopt- 
ed, was neither legal nor reasonable." 

In Starbridge, Ms., in 1741, the town ** lotted out 
tha room" on which pews should be built, on thia 
prineiple ; tha oommittee being instnietad to " have 
due regard to aga, to (hair first beginning in them, to 
Ihair bearing ohargii in town, and to thatroMfol- 



1859.] 



MaErt, ua flindaliit% liicn eMnwhnt 



odien tabs «stod 

paj." Tb« fblloiriiig ^lannd pim — 

drawn from tnemcny of one of thete tsj & 

boiues, erected tfter H became tiie eiutan ward 

to add poTcltei (eoatvoing tbe gollerj m finithed wltli peWi. 



Tei7 eonwt idea ef tk genetal i** 



^ I I 



a 



EC 



.PORCH. 



^ORCH. J 



A broad aUe na from the troat door fkmilj broagbt its ■* fba^■tOT«,~ wifh ill 

oppoeite tbe pulpit, op to tiie " deacons' little incloced pan of coab, or a bat brid, 

■eat," crow e d hj one through the center enveloped in flannel, to alienate tbe 

of the length of the bouM, connecttng the rigon of the place during the winter 

doon frocD the two porcbes. The firat monthi. The fint Chnrcb Rtore wbich 

pew on tbe west, adjoining tbe pulpit we ba*e Meo mentioned in Ma««ehB- 

•taira, waa the 't-bitiiiler'a pew." Tbe eetta, wa( in tbe Fiiet Chorch, in Boetcn, 

pen had high lidei, and a row of on- in 1773. The North Chnreh to SaltH 

cnahioned wati rarronnding tbeir interkir, had one in IB09. 



except where entrance wai gained by the 
door; and ihere were generally a couple 
orhi^h-bBi'kerfiflag-bottomedchain, stand- 
ing in the ['enter of each pew, for 
more aged ftm&Ies of the fiunilj. 
board «eata were hang on hinges, • 
turn up against the side of 
the pew, (for ironvenience <^ 
fltanding in prater- time,) and 
the resonance of their care- 
less return (o Iheir boriEonlal 
postare, after the Amen, was 
sometimes suggestive of a vol- 
ley of small arms. The pews 
Were made of panel-work, 
auRnbunled by a light bal- 
ustrade of miniature, orna- 
mented rolumtaS. No fur- 
nace, or other wanning ap- 
paHtns, wu Hied, bnt eacb 



The galleries were mpported on nz 
pillars, as shown by the marks o a in the 
pew* on tbe abore plan. Ileir general 
artMifeoMnt wiH be made obriooe by the 

The fiiHowiBf design. 

" ^ Pun or OALLaniai. 




192 



Medmff'Hoiua. 



[Apbil, 



Thsf were entered by doon from the 
•tun in the porches. A row of pews ran 
roDod Agunit the wall, on the same high- 
eet leveL There were two comer pewa, 
one on edch nde of die aegera' leab, on 
the ume level, ind then the rapid d^ent 
to the front pemiitted only of lung seata, 
which were appropiuted to the dngera 
on the tide opposite the palpit, and often 
to the miscellaneous mnJtitude, on either 
side. The hoase, up ilairs and below, was 
ceiled up to the bottom of the windows. 
The fronts of the galleries were panelled; 
the beams on which thej' rested, and the 
great beams of the house, projected from 
the plastering, and were planed, and — 
after the dajs of paint — painted. The 
pulpit and SDunding-board were elaborate- 
Ijr ornamented with panel work and mould- 
ings. 

The following cat will convey, very 
fwthfoUy, the impresnon of the external 
aspect of the house we have described, — 
with its two porches ; its huge panelled 
front door ; the box for posting notices of 
town-meeting, and the like, between that 
door and thefirst window oo the west; and 
the " horse-block " in front, from which 
our fathers used to monnt their saddles, 
and our mooters their appended pillions. 



form. The eaves and comers, die doors and 
porches of the old model were enriched ; 
and soon a lower bearing a bell turret, took 
theplaceof oneof the end porches. The 
fbllowing'design accurately represents this 
stage of architectural progress, and is a 
fine specimen of the style that took the 
place of the "bam meeting-house" through- 
out New England. It is an eastern view 
of the house of worship which was 
erected, in 1794-5, in what is now West 
BrookSeld, Ms., and which, until 1838, was 
occupied, in this form, by the First Con- 
gregational Church of all the BrookGolds, 
and the oldest Church organiiation in 
the Brookfeld Association. 





As the general culture improved, it 
began to be telt that God might be quite 
as acceptably worshipped in booses that 
donid have a comelier external aspect, 
and that should even enggeit some of the 
old associations which had been left be- 
hind in the fathei^land. More attention 
waa therefm bestowed upon the oatward 



Slight variations were made upon tlus, 
as a more elaborate and loftier steeple 
was denred. Sometimes one or two addi- 
tional stories, decreasing in size, were in- 
terposed between the square tower and 
the bell turret — the latter still retuning 
its pepper-box tiirminus ; exemplified in 
a bue example still remaining, in the 
house of the First Church in Koxbury, 
Ms. Sometimes the desired altitude waa 
guned by adding a clear story above the 
ridgepole, to the tower, and then pro- 
longing the belfry and elongating its 
pepper-box into a slender spire. A good 
example of this style was afiordcd by the 
meeting-house that stood in what is now 
Federal Street, in Boston, trom 1144 to 
1809— the predecesMT of that where 



1869.] 



MttimffSmeet. 



las 



Chaoning pruclied, which a just now ipire mnch like the Old SontL Hm 

crushed under the heel of commerce — a New North Church in Boston, (erected 

view of which is given below. It hu in 1803) has such a toner, elcmgftted in 

historic interest, as the house in which breadth, but enriched and termiuating in 

the Masaschusetta Coeveution of Dele- a belfrj of no great height 'The Weat 

gates diBCiuaed and accepted the Federal Church in Bostoa (erected in 1806) has tk 

CoDititulioD ; from which circomataDce similar tower (as shown below) but elMi- 

old " Long ^ai\e " has nnce been called gated bj an additional etorf, and tenai- 

" Federal Street" ting in a modest bell turret 





The Old South meeting-house in Boa- 
ton, built in 1 730, is of this general style, 
though its spire aboxe the belfry is larger, 
loftier, and mora enriched. Sometimes 
the tower, after rising a clear atoTy above 
Ae ridge, was elongated bj the two addi- 
tional stories, and the spire placed upon 
the whole, with a small turret at each 
comer of each break. Christ's Church, 
Boston, (erected 1723) has this form— 
the body of the house being TO feet by 90 
feet, by 35 feet in height; the tower 24 
feet square, and 78 feet high; the two 
extra stories and spire adding 97 feet — 
making the whole height of the steeple 
1 75 feet Sometimes the tower was flat- 
tened against the end of the house, so as 
to contain three windows in a row, and 
occupy more than one half of that end ; 
furoishing larger lobbj space, and — it was 
perhaps thought — adding dignity to the 
structure. The old Second church of 
Boston, which stood io Hanover street 
from 1721 to 1844, hod such a tower, 
which, after rising a little above the 
ridge, reduced itself to a squaie form, 
a belfij with a sapeijac«nt 
VOL. I. 26 



The only marked deviatioa frran tlia 
general style of external stmctare here 
noticed which oecors to ns as marking the 
century cloung with 1820, or thereabonta, 
is the two-Bteepled variety, a Sue example 
of which is given below, in the view 
of the house that stood in Hollis atreet, 
Boston, from 1 788 to 1610; when it wai 
taken down and removed to Wejmoatb. 




We have never heard it remarked con- 
cerning this last style, — indeed we never 
heard any remaA made about it, and do 
not know who introdaced it in this eotut- 
try, — but it bas struck ns that the archi- 
tect who planned this form of front most 
have had io his mind, as a model, the 
western front ot St Fsnl'* CatbediaL 
Th«re ii^ indeed, in that, a doobla por- 



i-^4 MeeHng-Houses. [Apbil, 

tS6o^ and its two towers are mncli more or three — like that occupied by the Bene- 
^boratiely ornamented than has been ficent Church in Providence, R. I., — were 
attempted here ; but it is well known that built with domes ; — distant resemblances, 
8Hr Christopher Wren would have re- in little, of St. Peter's and St. PauVs. This 
dnced his double portico to a single lofVy — though done, most economically, in 
obe, if the Portland quarries would then brick and wood — however involved an 
baVe afforded him stones of sufficient expenditure impossible to most parishes, 
ttiagnitude; and with all the immense Those, therefore, who had* b^ome dissat- 
difierence in size, material, elaboration isfied with the old styles, and could not 
and grandeur of relative position, there is afford even to attempt to reproduce houses 
yet something about this simple design that cost from fif^y to near two hundred 
given above which reminds us of what thousand dollars above the land on which 
always seemed to us one of the most they stand, ^ were fain to content them- 
pleasing features of the CathedraL selves with something quite as unlike the 
This two-steepled style had a few ex- former fashion as they, without much con- 
amples in New England. We well re- sideration of the question whether any 
member a venerable church of this fashion thing but change were to be gtuned by 
which stood, until nnce 1840, in Kingston, the change. Two-penny architects — who 
Ms., and which made a deep impression had spoiled stupid joiners to make them- 
upon our boyish mind, inasmuch as the selves still more stupid quacks at the 
■tern of the ball crowning the apex of the draught-board — ^fanned the growing re- 
•oilth tower was in some way broken, and action from the past, and the land was 
hung fbr years in its dislocated position, plagued with an erupdon of the most 
New Haven, Ct, contains one or two hideous architectural monstrosities. We 
diore modem erections afler this manner, had Grecian temples with no towers, and 
and Providence, R. I., has several recent then the old tower was hoisted from the 
edifices with double towers. ground and set a-straddlc upon the ridge- 
About the beginning of the present pole of the temple ; while all manner of 
century there arose a disposition here to urns and obelisks, and domes and spin- 
import the more modem forms of church dies — each more hideous than another — 
architecture that prevailed abroad. — topped the pile. This had its day, when 
Travellers brought back glowing ac- a great Grothic invasion came over us, 
counts of the excellent beauty of St. and for the last few years parishes have 
Martins-in-the-fields ; St Mary-le-Bow ; been hard at work in building '* Byzan- 
St Brides, Fleet St., and other churches tine " and " Romanesque " and " Nor- 
of the Englbh metropolis. The Puritan man " and " Lancet " and " Perpendic- 
prejudice against costly and church-ly ular " and ** Tudor "' churches of brick 
houses of worship had passed away, and and stucco, and clapboard and shingle 
their descendants were quite willing to and plaster — about as much like the Ca- 
expend, of their increased substance, in- thedrals which they feebly misrepresent, 
creased sums in the erection of meeting- as a pyramid of lemon ice-cream is like 
houses that might emulate even the more Bunker Hill Monument. But these are too 
favorite structures of Europe in size and patent to our readers to need description. 
beauty. And there soon arose, in some No special change in the interior 
of the chief cities of New England, houses arrangements of our meeting houses was 
modelled after the master-pieces of Wren made until within the last quarter cen- 

and Gibbs and Shaw — like that of the i St. MarUns-in-the-Fields (1721-6) cost £86,891; 

Park Street Church in Boston, the First ^^' BHdw (1680-1708), though only 99 feet by 68 fcet, 

B«irtl«Ciircl.inP«>vide„ce.the Center r;.:'!;:^r^.SSir8rM^TB;L'; n.: 

Chtirch m New Haven, and others. Two Bokd, £eo,0oo. 



1859.] 



tui7» when Uie old square pews were 
torn out ; the pulpit was placed at the 
end of the house opposite the tower, and 
narrow pews (or " slips **) were arranged 
so as to cover the floor, — with convenient 
able accommodations. This enabled the 
same floor room to seat a greatly increased 
number, and to seat them all more com- 
fortably. The pulpit was lowered. So 
were the galleries — where (hey were not 
wholly dispensed with, except over the 
entrance, for the choir. About 1840, this 
internal arrangement was still further im- 
proved by arranging these pews — especial- 
ly in large houses — on the sweep of reced- 
ing circles, drawn from the speaker's desk, 
as a center, thus enabling all the audience 
to face him, while sitting squarely in their 
seats. These — with the addition of suit- 
able rooms in a basement, or adjacent 
chapel, for those Sabbath School, and 
social evening services, which the piety of 
the present day rejoices in — are the prin- 
cipal changes in the interior arrangements 
of the sanctuary, which need to be enu- 
merated in bringing our rapid sketch 
down to the present time. 

Having thus considered our theme his- 
torically, it remains to treat it suggestively, 
which — with our readers' kind permis- 
sion — we shall proceed frankly to do; 
albeit we are neither an architect nor the 
son of an architect, and have no particu- 
lar right, that we know of, to know, or 
say anything about it, except our great 
Yankee Magna Charta — the right to think 
and to utter common sense on all subjects. 

What ought to be the central and con- 
trolling principle in the erection of a 
meeting-house ? What is the Christian 
idea of such a structure ? Is such a house 
merely a meeting-place, where worship- 
pers can conveniently listen, and unite in 
all appropriate acts of worship ? Or is it 
essential that such a meeting-place should 
be enriched and digniBed by the applica- 
tion of certain architectural features, 
having, either inherently or historically, 
special adaptation to the end proposed to 
be reached by it? Is preaching and 




m 



hearing the main business for ▼hich such 
a house should be planned : or are theae 
subordinate to other acts of wordup) 
requiring rather the presence of immenan 
assemblages, uniting in something like ^ 
cathedral service ? It is pUun that until 
these questions are answered, we are not 
prepared to sit down to plan a house for 
the worship of God. They ought to be 
clearly answered. The exact idea that 
should rule every feature and subordinate 
every detsdl, must be fixed from the optr 
set, or confusion and irrelevancy will de- 
form, if not destroy, the fitness of the 
structure to its end. False reasoning 
upon false premises, has marred many ^ 
our most costly and elaborate erections. 

There seems to be a strong dispositicm 
in the public mind to settle these qu^- 
tions by an appeal to the ancient times ; 
a conviction that somewhere along tjbus 
line of Ecclesiastical architecture, in old 
Romanesque, or Lombard, or Byzantine, 
or Norman, or the many-styled Gothic^ 
is to be found the genuine idea of a 
building having all possible internal 
adaptation, and external fitness, to stand 
as a model for houses in which to worpl^ip 
God. And so far as our religious senti- 
ments are enriched from Uie soil of the 
past, there is an unquestioned semblance 
of justice in this idea. Dr. Johnson said 
that ** the man is littie to be envied whose 
patriotbm would not gain force on the 
plains of Marathon, or whose piety would 
not grow warmer ameng the ruins of 
lona ;" and we may pity him who can 
pace cathedral pavements that have been 
worn by the tread of centuries, and not 
feel at least a momentary sympathy with 
Milton's wish : — 



** let my due feet neTvr fkU 
To walk (he studious clojrtten pal«, 
And lo?e th« high embowed roof, 
With antique pilUra many proof, 
And i>toried windows richly dight. 
Casting a dim religious light : 
There let the pealing organ blow, 
To the full voiced quixe below. 
In senrioe high, and anthems clear. 
As may with sweetness, through mine 
IMssolTe me into ecetasiee, 
And bring all heaven hefora mint eyea.** 



196 



Meetinff'jHouses. 



[Afbii^ 



And yet he who tries to jdn in a Prot- 
eitant service of preaching and hearing 
in a cathedral, will at once become con- 
scious of an incongruity between that ser- 
vice and the situation ; and as the voice 
of a preacher half hidden behind cluster- 
ing pillars, is lost adown the *^ long drawn 
aisle,** and confused among the reverbera- 
tions that are thrown back from the 
** fretted vault;*' he is thrust upon the 
punful conviction that, somehow, the 
right man is not now in the right place, 
nor the right thing being rightly done. 

The simple truth is that the cathedral 
charches — and all others of the old world, 
or the new, which have been copied, in 
little, from them, or suggested by them — 
are but imperfectly adapted to Protestant 
worship; were not intended for it; and 
are not the outgrowth of the unadulter- 
ated Christianity of the primitive ages, 
bat rather of the corrupted forms of a 
later period — when the idea of public 
worship had passed from that of commun- 
ion wiUi Grod and each other, of medita- 
tion upon the expounded word, and of 
choral pruse from every lip. We have 
never seen the suggestion — and yet we 
believe it to be susceptible of the most 
rigorous historic proof— that our Pilgrim 
Fathers re-introduced the primitive idea 
of houses for the worship of God, as well 
as the primitive idea of the Church wor- 
shipping Grod in them. The one was, in' 
&ct, the consequence of the other ; given 
the same data, the same results must ne- 
cessarily be vrrought out The primitive 
Church was a poor and defenceless band, 
driven to find, or make, shelter for 
its worship in the simplest and most 
modest quarters. The Pilgrim Church 
was a similar band, and had a similar 
history. During the first three centuries 
of the Christian era — while the Church 
remained in its Congregational form, and 
there were no bishops, but the bishops 
that were pastors, and bishops because 
they were pastors (each of his own 
church, and of no other) ; and no bishop- 
rics that were not synonymous with 



single congregations of believers, and 
there was therefore no call for huge edi- 
fices, or any specialities of construction — 
the primitive saints worshipped where 
they could find unmolested and comforta- 
ble shelter. At first ^ this Was in private 
houses ; in a *' a large upper room fur- 
nished and prepared ;'* (Mark, xiv: 15,) 
in the open .fields, in caves and cate- 
combs. Ailerward,* in the last of the 
second century and beginning of the 
third, they began to build ^^rude and 
simple structures varying in form and 
size, according to circumstances." (Cole- 
man, Christ Antiq. p. 182.) As they be- 
came more numerous, and in the time of 
Constantino gained not merely toleration 
but sustenance from the government, they 
appear not unfrequently to have taken 
possession of the old basilicas. These were 
huge edifices which the Romans were ac- 
customed to erect in their large towns for 
use as a court of law, and as an exchange, 
or place of meeting for mercantile trafiic, 
— these uses being so conjoined that it 
would be hard to say which ruled the 
other. They were rectangular, hav- 
ing a width of from one third, to one 
half, their length. Their floor area was 
divided into three parts, consisting of a 
central nave, and two side aisles'— each 
divided from the center by a single row 
of columns. At one end of this central 
nave, on a raised platform, was the tri- 
bune of the judge; either rectangular or 
circular. In the center of this was placed 
the curule chair of the prator, and 
around, seats for the judices. The people 
stood below. Galleries, reaching around 
three sides, supported by the pillars that 

1 Eoaeb. h. e. lib. tU. c. 22. Pliny, Ep. lib. ziz. 

Ep.»7. 

s Faber, de templor. ap. Christian, antiq. dab. in 
Pott'a Syllog. Com. Tbeol. toI. iii, p. 834. Moebeim, 
de Eccl. uite Const. M. p. 463. 

s The word aide will here, as in many other places 
in this essay, be understood to refer, not, as com- 
monly used among us, to the passageways between 
pews, bat to those side portions of a chareh or other 
bailding which are separated from the nave, or cen- 
tral portion, by ranges of colomns sapporting Um 
roof. 



1859.] Meetinff-Bimes. l^Y 

diTided the nave from the aisles, gave architecture of the world, down to the 
room for listeners and loiterers, women as Beformation. And, since that day, it 
well as men. seems to have been so far assumed that 
When the Church, in the time of Con- this is — ^by virtue of its historic cimnection 
stantine, was led by her large increase of with the Church, if not of its inherent 
numbers to seek, and be grateful for, the proprieties — the idea that ought to govern' 
use of these deserted basilicas, the pro- the architecture of the Christian world, 
gress of ambition and corruption within that not merely Protestant cathedrals, but 
herself had already developed the germs even little parish churches ought, of right, 
of the Papal system. Instead of the sim- to retain as many of its features as can be 
pie officers of apostolic days, she had a made consistent with their use as houses 
hierarchy full-fledged,^ with its Arch- for a worship that lately consists in 
bishops, Bishops, Priests and Deacons, — preaching and hearing, 
its sub-deacons, lectores, acolyths, exor- But it is only necessary to enter such a 
cist«, precentors, janitors and catechists. cathedral as that which stands — in its 
Instead of being all ^ brethren," (vide, unfinished grandeur, so strangely blend- 
New Test passim^) there were now three ing mossgcown and rain-worn pinnacles 
distinct orders in the body; the clergy, and buttresses, with firesh cut stones — at 
multifarious in their sub-divisions ; the Cologne, to see the . utter incongruitj 
faithful ; said ihe catechumens. Naturally between such an edifice and any service 
therefore, when she took possesnon of that could be naturally associated with 
these buildings for the purposes of wor- Protestant worship. No human voice could 
ship, she availed herself of their remarka- fill its immense finbhed area f its five usles, 
ble adaptation to her use in the condition with the two added in each transept, with 
to which her spiritual deterioration had the more than seventy huge pillars, sup- 
brought her. The bbhop ascended the porti ng its bays; would prevent the poesibil- 
pnetor*8 vacant throne. The clergy clus- ity of any other unity of worship among the 
tered around him on the seats whence the gathered multitude, that that which should 
judices had forever fled. The ** faithful " be involved in a union, on their part, in 
assumed the standing places of the mer- genuflexions and prostrations, at the 
chants; and the ** penitents" and ^ cate- sound of the organ and the chant And 
chumens ," the remoter position whence if we look at the cathedrals of England, 
spectators had been wont to look from we shall find that, though mostly less in 
afar upon the clamor of the exchange, area, they are no better adapted to the 
The altar in front of the apse where liba- uses of Sabbath worship in the forms 
tions used to be poured to the gods, be- usual with us, than are those on the con- 
fore, and aflerthe conclurion of important tinent, which remain still in Papal hands, 
business, was adopted as the central figure The average area of fourteen of the cathe- 

of the new Christian rites ; and so, almost t it. extnme length ii 446 feet ; ext^ou bnadth, 

without change, the pagan receipt of CUS- 260 feet ; Its «aperflebl area, 81,404 feet— Dearly 

tom and court of justice became the ^^^^ ^"•" **»• »~ <>' ^^ ^^*^ Cbarch. The 

. . ^ ^1 1 • i> .,^ eomple(Ml deaign of the beautiftil twtn tplfee of ita 

shnne for the worship of the paganizmg ^^ ^^^^ ^„,^ ^^ ^^^ ^ ^,0 ^ ^^ 

Church. And when Constantine poured it it osoal to eay that if thia were finiahed, It nonld 

out his money for the building of new be the StPeter'a of Qothle architecture. 8t Peter*t, 

and magnificent temples, this basilican T"^7"'''^'^'^^!^l'^''^^^'^T 

^ . I • • la aa long as the entire length of the Oolofoe Cathe- 

idea ruled in their erection; and that dral/(446 feet) ; and the top of the eroes on Ite dome 

idea, with such additions and modifica- i* 480 fleet from the paTement. The Milan Cathedral 

tions as the fuU Papal worship demanded, *«^" * '»»?, li^'^® 1"" !^'^ ^J^ 

... ., / « 1 • • 1 at Florence, 84, 808 eqnarefaet. The Rheima Gathe- 

essentially presided over the ecclesiastical dnacoTcra 66,746 equare feet; that at Amlaoi, 71,208; 

1 BehaS. Hiit. Ohr. Ohh. pp. 407-414. Nofest Dama, at Paria, 64^06. 



W^^m: 



[Apbii^ 



dpj cbnrcliM qf Eoglwad (Toric, Lincoln, 
Winctj^a^r,' Weitminiter, Ely, Canter- 
bnrj, S&lubory, Durbam, Feterboroagh, 
Wells, Norwich, Worcester, Exeter, and 
LitcbSeld) is about 52,G00 feet each— 
MulTalent to a parallelogram of 262 feet, 
i iDctkea in lenj^ hy SOO feet in width ; 
whjch ia equivalent to a aze aeven 
or eight timet greater than that of onr 
TtTj largest cl^ charches. SL Pauls is 
SOO feet in length, and its width Tories 
from a minimmn of 126 feet, to ISO feet 
at the western frcmt, and 250 feet in the 
transepL 

As s neceseaiy cOnseqnence of the im- 
menseness of these charches, and their 
■hbdivisioD into nsTe, and usles, and 
transept, and choir or chancel, with the 
chapels, or chantries, that cluster uound 
llieir outer walls ; making aaj attempt at 
^rect centralization of the whole area 
anmnd any one focus of speaking and 
hearing, impoanble ; it has followed that 
only a small portion of the whole ballding 
if deToted to the pnrpoee of public wor- 
ship. In St Paul's, this portion is the 
choir ; and the result is that, so far as 
the proper uses of a meeting-house are 
concerned, this immen»e pile, costing 
£760,000, oflers no greater accommoda' 
tion than would be equalled b; a chapel 
76 feet by 50 feet, in length and width. 
The cathedral at Canterbury is aimilarly 
available for a space of about 90 feet by 
40 feet. York Minster aSbrds a apace of 
some 70 feet by 40 feet. The nave of 
the cathedral at Manchester is pewed 
over a rambling area, averaging perhaps 
llOfcetby SO feet; but the space is so 
interrupted by the nineteen pillars that, in 
four rows, support the superjacent mass, 
that comparatively few of the high and 
awkward sittings are comfortable for use. 

The parish churches of England are 
BO far modelled after the cathedrals, as to 
preTent most of them from being suitable 
and convenient places for the assemblage 
of large audiences to bear the Word, and 
unite in the worship of the sanctuary. St 
Botolph'i, in Boston, in I^cobuhire, is 



said to be the largest in the kingdom with- 
out transepts, being 282 feet in length by 
perhaps 125 feet in width, having a tower 
282 feet in height, modelled after that of 
the cathedral at Antwerp. We give a 
wood-cut of the front of thb church, 
drawn from a finely engraved view in 
Mr. Kahey Thompson's " History and 
Antiquities of Boston," 1856. It is espec- 
ially interesting as hinting te our minds 
the outward circumstances of the worship 
of some of our fathers, before they left 
the English Church. As this edifice was 
begun to j>e built in 1309, it had already 
been standing more than 300 years when 
this country was settled. In it John Cot- 
ton preached before he came to be 
" teacher " of the First Church of this 
Boelon, in the wilderness. It has no gal- 
leries, yet it is estimated that it will con- 
tain 5,000 people. 




This unsuitable n ess to the proper uses 
of Protestant worship is by no means, 
however, confined to parish churches of 
the large class of St. Botolph's. It may 
be seen almost as clearly in many of 
much hnmbler dimennions. Take St. 
Sepulchre's, near Newgale, in London — 
whose bell has tolled the exit of bo many 



1859.] 






m 



criminals — as an example. It is a paral- 
lelogram, some 120 feet hy 68 feet. The 
interior has a narroy? nave, divided by 
two ranges of Tuscan columns — the bases 
of which stand on octagon plinths (level 
with the tops of the pews, and subtracting 
near one quarter from each, on which 
they abut) — from two side aisles of un- 
equal width ; that on the south being the 
narrower. Over each of tbiese side aisles 
a clumsy gallery is wedged between the 
pillars on the one side, and the wall on 
the other. A plain chapel of these dimen- 
sions (120 by 68) would be easy*to speak 
in, and hear in, and see in ; but here, 
what with the huge columns, and the 
heavy galleries, lowering like extinguish- 
ers, on either hand, over the side pews, 
and the general high-shouldered propor- 
tions of the structure, it b with great 
difficulty that the service can be made 
available to the listeners; and this, 
although a most remarkable sounding- 
board — in the shape of a large parabolic 
reflector, twelve feet in diameter — extends 
itself, fan-like, behind and over the Rec- 
tor, to assist his own (by no means insig- 
ni6cant) powers of vocal propulsion. We 
presume that any of our readers who 
have ever tried to unite in the service, in 
Trinity Church, New York City — the 
most respectable in design and size, and 
every way the finest of the imitations of 
the cathedral style, which we have in 
this country — will join with us in the 
expression of the conviction that, however 
beautiful in themselves, however grateful 
in their associations of the past, and with 
the pleasant scenes of other lands ; edifices 
so constructed are not, and in the nature 
of the case cannot be, well adapted to the 
purposes of that form of Sabbath worship 
which centers its interest in the preaching 
and hearing of the Gospel. 

The cathedral was the central glory 
and guide of its time. Before its high 
altar the whole people clustered ; there 
en masne they were swayed by the choice 
music, by priestly appeal from pulpits 
here aiid pulj^its thefre, And by the qpidk 



sympathy which croWds do generate, tii 
its clustering chapels they confessed their 
sins, and received ghostly absolution. — 
From its mullioned windows with theur 
"storied panes" and its agglomerated 
sculptures, they gathered their rude ide^ 
of history, sacred and profane. A per- 
fect cathedral of the middle ages was an 
immense museum of objects of popular 
interest, and thither, in lieu of books, the 
people went to be amused and instructed, 
as well as saved. The great cathedral 
churches at Chartres and RHeims, to this 
day, retain, on the one hand, some thousands 
of figures illustrating the Old and New 
Testament history, and, on the other, 
ranges of statues carrying the annals of 
France down to the period when the 
work was done ; and, interspersed, wehavoi 
in the same mgh-dialect, a whole system of 
moral philosophy ; the virtues and vicies ; 
the arts of peace and the tools of husban- 
dry ; while over all are seen the heavenly 
host, with angel, and arch-angel, and 
cherub, and seraph. Nor was this alL 
The illustrious dead were buried there ; 
and thus patriotism linked itself with the 
memories that clustered — in the passing 
centuries — around their tombs. ^ Much of 
this is now changed, even in Catholic 
countries, by the progress of popular edu- 
cation, causing the masses to outgrow the 
need and enjoyment of these architectu- 
ral features. As Victor Hugo beautifully 
says — and it is true in a sense in which 
perhaps he hardly intended it — *'ceci tuera 
cela : le livre tuera TEglise.'* The book 
is killing the cathedral, though not the 
Church. Protestantism killed the cathe- 
dral. It has only had a lingering and 
inconsistent life mnce Wiclif and Lu- 
ther and Knox. And it cannot, we think, 

1 A tablet io WMtmiiutor Abbey by the sldt of 
thoMof Beo Johnion, aod Sponeer, andDryden. and 
Thompeon, and Gray, a&d Qoldmiith. and Addison, 
and Handel, and Bnmi and Soott, to now the goal of 
UtoraryfSune to Bngllshmen ; a« a retting plaoe onder 
the sane dome witii Abereromble, aod Brock, and 
Oollingwood, and Oomwallli, and QlUesple, and Bai^ 
dingo and Moore, and Neleon, and Pakenhan, and 
Poneonby , a^d MalooJm^ «^d Wi^n|toa, to an 
fttvt to win glory on tiit Add of baifctto. 



200 



MeeUng-HouHB. 



[Apbh^ 



be denied hy intelligent observers that the 
Paseyism which has developed itself in 
and around the old shrines of Popeiy in 
England gives color of truth to that harsh 
old saying of the Reformer of St An- 
drews : " the best way to keep the rooks 
from retoming, is to pull down their 
nests." 

So far, then, as the ecclesiastical archi- 
tecture of the past has been shaped by 
the ideas which led to the congenial use 
of the deserted b^nlicas of the Bomans, 
and afterward to the erection of churches 
and cathedrals on the same basilican plan ; 
or so far as it has been modelled — con- 
sciously or unconsciously — after them ; it 
is not purely Christian in its derivation, 
influence, or sympathies. It is radically 
incompatible with the fundamental prin- 
ciples which govern Congregational wor- 
ship. We never felt this more stiongly 
than when, some years since, listening to 
a rationalistic sermon from Calvin's pulpit 
in the little cathedral of Geneva ; where, 
as the sonorous periods rolled in confused 
reverberations among the nooks and cor- 
ners of the building, we could distinctly 
hear just enough to satisfy us that a bet- 
ter sermon would be inhumanly used in 
being so ** tortured, not accepting deliv- 
rance." 

The idea which governed the worship 
of the primitive Christians, very clearly 
was that of union and communion in 
praise and prayer, and of instruction from 
the voice of him who was ** over them in 
the Lord." A house constructed to pro- 
mote this worship would necessarily make 
these two its cardinal principles, viz : (1.) 
it must seat all the worshippers socially 
and pleasantly together, so that, with as 
few obstructions as possible, they may 
blend thought and emotion ; and (2.) it 
must seat them so that their relation to 
the teacher shall be, as nearly as possible, 
perfect for' his speaking to them, and their 
listening to him. Had the primitive faith 
remained in its simplicity, and these ideas 
continued to shape (as there can be little 
doobt that — ^in the rude Chriitian temples, 



bmlt in the second, and beginning of the 
third centuries — they did at first shape) 
the architecture of the Church ; we should 
long ago have seen the solution of the 
problem which yet perplexes the brain of 
our builders, — how, in the highest degree, 
to combine the comfort of a Christian 
assembly in their public worship, with all 
the demands of the ordinary principles of 
architecture on the one hand, and of the 
historic canons of good taste for Church 
edifices, on the other. We should have 
had a history which would have been 
itself a safe guide ; and should not have 
been compelled, as now, (in our eccle- 
siastical edifices) to violate the associa- 
tions of the past, or to retain those associa- 
tions at the continual sacrifice of more or 
less of the special appropriateness of these 
ediGces to their design. 

When our Pilgrim Fathers reproduced 
the Apoi>tolic Church, in the Apostolic 
spirit, they came again under the influence 
of those cardinal principles which governed 
that Church in its worship; and they, 
naturally, carried them out in their meet- 
ing houses, so far as their poverty, of 
knowledge and means, would permit. 
And it is very likely that He, who watches 
the Church with an eternal eye, saw in 
the first rude temples of New England a 
nearer approach to those of the anto- 
Constantine era, than any other age or 
land had known ; as we confidently be- 
lieve that He recognized in the simple 
rites which were performed within their 
humble walls, a more exact reproduction 
of the worship of the primitive believers, 
than the earth anywhere else afforded. 

We hold, then, that the essential and 
shaping idea which ought to govern the 
erection of houses for the public worship 
of Almighty God— especially and pre- 
eminently where they are to be used by 
Congregational churches — is not that of 
having a particular form and aspect like 
those which in the English or Papal 
churches have been for ages associated 
with them; nor that they must be cruci- 
form ** because the religion of Christ cm- 



1859.] 



Medkg-Bottset. 



201 



cified is to be preached wit^n their 
walls;" (see Harfs Parish Churches, p. 
21.) nor that thej must necessarily have 
a distinct nare and side aisles, and tran- 
septs (if of large size) ; nor that they 
mast necessarily front the east, or some- 
how Symbolize the Holy Trinity;' but that 
they should minister, in the most simple 
and direct possible manner, to the ease 
and comfort with which the people may 
** sit together in heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus,'* and "receive with meekness the 
engrailed word which U able to save their 
souls." Social Christian comfort in speak- 
ing and hearing, and in all the services of 
the sanctuary, we believe was the original, 
and is the genuine, and will be the mil- 
lennial principle from trhich, as from a 
living seed, the idea of a truly appropriate 
(and therefore truly Christian) meetings 
house will grow. And it is time that our 
churches understood this and had the 
courage to assume it as the corner-stone 
of Christian art, and build upon it. They 
have long enough put themselves at a 
disadvantage, by the assumption that ba- 
silican and cathedral architecture, which 
was the sympathetic and congenial out- 
growth of false and Pagan ideas engrafted 
on the Christian system, is so far Chris- 
tian architecture that it is severely disre- 
spectful and indefensibly inartistic, if not 
actually unchristian, to differ from it 
Others* have had penetration enough, long 

1 « Qothle art wan crested upon Theological, Sccle- 
•tastical and Mjcdcal prlnclplet , and whatMMTer plan 
ba adopted, whether it 1b that which embodies the 
nare, chancel and Ninctuarj, or all of thene with the 
addition of aisles, or their combination with the ad- 
dition of transepts ; th^ ever-pre$ent symbol of the 
Holy Trinity will be found in them all ; that is, the 
nare, being the commencement of the church, would 
in the language of the designer be read the Father, 
and being the first part, Is of none. The chancel or 
erora (and whkh is as it were made to arise out of 
the naTe) is of the naTe alone as the Son from the 
Father ; and the holy of holies is of the nare and of 
the chancel, proceeding from them, as the Spirit 
from the Father and the Son.'- — HarVa Parish 
Churches, p. 20. 

* *'As the peouliaf habita and religious faith of the 
old English people, did mature a characteristic mode 
of buildings, a national Eccleslastleal Archltcetnn 
for thdr religioua requirements, and many still ezlsfe 

VOL. I. 26 



ago, to discern the incongmity of that 
architecture with any other * 83r8tem of 
religion than that which was the meat 
that first grew within it and gave form to 
its shaping shell, and have smiled as they 
have seen Unitarian parishes unwittingly 
committing themselves to a multiplied 
symbolism of the Trinity, in the very 
shape and sign-language of their repro- 
duction of some old Gothic temple ; or a 
Congregational Church, whose first prin- 
ciples are those of simplicity of worship 
and the parity of its membership, uncon- 
sciously recognizing, in its chancelled 
house, a separation into classes, and sol- 
emn altar-mysteries which must be shield- 
ed from irreverent approach. Suum 
cuique. However well the mysteries of 
orientation, and chancel screen and arch, 
and parclose, and sacristry, and altar, 
and sedilia, and piscina, and credence 
shelf, and lectern, may fit and edify onr 
High Church friends, they are not for us. 
They may be essential to their peace of 
mind ; may add to their very cleanness of 
conscience. We remember the medieval 
proverb : *^ quisquis amat ran am, ranam 
putat esse Dianam," and we will not quar- 
rel with them for their taste. But we 
shall gain, as well in their respect as in 
our own, when we eschew all senselev 
and irrelevant imitations of inappropriate 
models, and set up for ourselves as Eccle- 
siastical Architects, letting the spirit of onr 
Church theory clothe itself in an outward 
form that shall be as appropriate for it, 
as their cathedral style b, and will always 
be, for theirs. 

This work our Pilgrim Fathers, with 
great good sense, began. It remains for 
us to take their too plain and bald idea, 
and carry it out with what skill and taste 
we can command — not by going down to 
the Egypt of the dark ages for architec- 
tural help, but by falling back upon the 
first principles of the science of building, 

as monuments of their Ikitb ', so do I conclude and 
believe that the church arohitectnre of England ena 
hare no true existence under a ^ystedi Ibralgn to Imt 
own."— Hart, p. 16. 



1202 



MeeUnff'Eaus^. 



[Apbo^ 



and applying them to our demand, with 
use of saoh raggestioDS, gathered from the 
pas^ as are not linked with ideas radically 
inconsistent with, or even hostile to, our 
own. It would be foolish not to take 
adrantage of whatever associations exist 
in the popular mind, with the consecrated 
edifices of the past, which rightfully be- 
long as much to us as to any branch of 
the Church ; whose symbolism is of the 
general idea of worship, and not of any 
particular idea, germane to the Papacy or 
the Episcopacy, but alien to us. Thus 
we would, by all means, avail ourselves of 
that association, into which the mind of 
the world has been for ages educated, 
which has assigned one special, though 
diverse outward form, to edifices dedicated 
to the Divine worship. It is a grateful 
sight to see a landscape tufled with the 
recognized emblems of the Christianity of 
the land. 

** Aa star that ahiofls dependent upon aur 

If to the iky while we look np In lore ; 

Aa to the deep, fUr ahlpe which though they more 

Seem flzed to eyea that watoh them from a&r ; 

Aa to the aandy deeert- fountains are, 

With palm groTes Hhaded at wide InterTals, 

Where f^uit arouod the ounburDt Natire falls 

Of roTiog tired, or desultory war ; 

Such to the Britiiih lale her Christian fanes 

Baeh linked to each for kindred aenrices ; 

Her Spires, her Steeple-towers with glittering yanva 

Far-kenntMi, her Chapels lurking among tree*, 

Where a few Tillager^ on bended kneea 

find aolaee which a busy world diadaina.'' i 

It is a grateful sight ; and there is noth- 
^ ing in a church spire, or a general out- 
ward church-ly look, which suggests any- 
thing inappropriate to the severest sim- 
plicity of our Denominational system; 
but there is a hold upon the popular feel- 
ing in it which we cannot afibrd to ignore ; 
and which need not prevent us — if we 
accept it — from purging it of all pagan 
dross, and adapting it most thoroughly to 
the uses of our own necessity. We pass, 
then, to consider, as briefly as we may, in 
detail, such minor principles as seem to us 
essential to the realization of the desired 
result in the erection of meeting-houses 
for Congregational churches. 

1. Position. The same rule which 
t Wordawovlh, loolctiaafeienl Sonneta, Part Ui., zUL 



shapes the fashion of the house to the best 
convenience of the worshippers, demands 
that its location consult the same con- 
venience. This will have respect to 
access, beauty, quietness, and light For- 
merly, in our New England towns, the 
meeting-house was very apt to be vigor- 
ously demanded to be placed either in the 
geographical center of territory, or at an 
average remove finom most of the houses 
of the worshippers, or at some road-fork 
which might be thought to meet the aver- 
age of convenient access — without much 
reference to any other consideration. 
Long and grievous quarrels not unfre- 
quently arose out this question of loca- 
tion. ' In Bedford, N. U., after discussions 
reaching from the settlement of the town 
in 1737, to 1755^-during which time the 
matter was once ** left out " to the decis- 
ion of a Londonderry Committee, and an 
attempt was made to refer it to the Gen- 
eral Court — ^it was finally voted, unan- 
imously, on the 22d of September, of the 
latter year, ** that all votes and conclu- 
sions that have been voted and concluded, 
concerning fixing a place to build a meet- 
ing house on, in this town, be, and hereby 
are, null and void." 

When other considerations would permit, 
it was customary to plant the meeting-house 
upon the summit of the highest hill in town, 
so as to make it visible from a long distance. 
Many a fisherman, oflf Scituate, has pros- 
pected tor cod by help of the bearings of 
the ** Parson*s sloop ;** as many a sailor, 
steering in from the broad Atlantic, has 
hailed with joy that old structure on 
a lofty swell of Truro, which used to look 
as if it might have stood for Ossian's 
limning : ** the dark brown years have 
passed over it ; it stands alone on the hill 
of storms ; it is seen afar by the mariner 
as he passes by on the dark rolling wave." 
Of later years, there has been a tendency 
to put our Church edifices on the most 
frequented corners ; on town squares, and 
among banks and stores ; sometimes to the 
great discomfort of quiet-loving worship- 
pers. 



1859.] 



MeeUng-Hoiuea. 



203 



Other things being equal, that rite 
which combines most of convenience of 
access to those who are to worship in it ; 
of comeliness, in itself, and in its effect 
npon the locality ; of repose (for week day 
sendee as well as for Sabbath use) ; and 
of adaptation to the best demands of light 
and yentilation; is the best rite for a 
house in which to worship Grod. While 
the angry contests of the past were not of 
a character to invite repetition, it is still 
true that the selection of an appropriate 
building spot for a new church-edifice, is 
a matter of importance, second only to 
the question of its character when erected. 
The best place ought to be secured, at 
any cost ; best not merely now, but rea- 
sonably sure to remaiii best through all 
the changes of the coming century. Spe- 
cially is this true of thickly settled and 
growing towns. Many a city Church has 
been gradually weakened, and at last 
destroyed, by a mistake made in the loca- 
tion of its meeting-house; or has been 
obliged to sacrifice its historical associa- 
tions, by subsequently transplanting itself 
from an outworn soil, to a more fertile 
spot. It was a far-sighted policy which, 
in Boston, planted Park Street Church 
— at what then seemed an immense cost — 
on its invaluable comer ; which, though 
objectionable for noise, is yet, and is likely 
indefinitely to remain, in porition, unsur- 
passed (as, of late years, in other maUers,) 
for popular attraction. 

2. Material, Our early structures here 
were almost always of wood, forests bein^ 
more plentiful than quarries; and, per- 
haps afterward, from the fashion which 
the abundance of timber had first inaug- 
urated. In Virginia they began as we 
did, but afterwards resorted to solider 
materials. The first meeting-house at 
Jamestown, was of logs. The second, 24 
feet by 60 feet, was of wood, and was 
burned in the rebellion, in 1676. The 
third — 28 feet by 56 feet, with a tower 
18 feet square, and SO feet high — ^built 
probably soon after that date, was of 
brick, and its romantic ruins still beautify 



the shore of the James River. Quite a 
number of the church erections of the 
early days still remain in the Old, Domin- 
ion, and in a condition for use, in conse- 
quence of the durableness of their mate- 
rials. Among these are the TVilliams- 
burg Church, Bruton Parish — a brick 
cruciform structure, with a very English- 
looking, low tower, prowned by a two-story 
turret — built not far from 150 years ago ; 
St John's, Hampton, also cruciform, built 
between 1660 and 1697, and which, 
though used as a barrack by the British, 
in the war of 1812, and afterwards, for 
years, a common shelter for straying ani- 
mals, was repaired and reconsecrated in 
1830, and is now a very comely and com- 
fortable house ; the Old Smithfield, whose 
inunensely thick brick walls and solid 
tower have resisted the tooth of time for 
227 years, and are now in good condition ; 
and the old Blandford Church, whose 
ivied gables still shelter the funeral ser- 
vices of the Blands^ and others, who lie 
down to their long rieep under the stretch 
of its evening shadows. Nor are we alto- 
gether wanting here in rimilar legacies of 
the past King's Chapel, Boston, (of 
stone) was finished in 1754; the Old 
South, and Brattle Street, (both of brick) 
in 1730 and 1773. The Old South can 
almost parallel the barrack experience of 
St John's, above, and Brattle Street might 
adopt the lines which Rev. John McCabe 
has connected with St Paul's, Norfolk, 
Va.; 

" Go It, time his mtrk bat Iraog ; 
Do it, hovtUe balli havv ning ; 
On It, green old moM bat clung ; 
On It, winds their dirge hM!W9 sang." 

It is indisputable that there is a power 
of pleasant association connected with a 
meeting-house so built as to abide through 
the centuries, and become, through gen- 
erations, interwoven with the awe of 
childhood, and the dreams of youth, and 
the sober faith of manhood, and the fond 
faltering reminiscence of age, which is 
not to be despised as an element of power 
over the mind. It is the boast of some 
Yii^ians that none of their families^ have i 



tJtiitala 



2Mt MeeH^ffouiits. [Amuk^ 

ever become ^ Difsenten,** becaose thoj e^a ached, as we kave ae^n oar New 

have always been drawn by every tender, England parishes expending from five to 

as well as sacred association, to the forms twenty, or thirty thoosand. doIlarB, upon 

and places of worship which connect them the erection of a gingerbread stmctare of 

with that family antiquity of which they imported jcMst and plank and clapboard 

are so proud. The old Aquia Church, and putty, and pigments ; with a spire, 

between Alexandria and Fredericsburgh, saddling the roof, that is almost sure to 

Ya., which had gone out of repair, and blow over in a sudden gust, and smash its 

become disused, and lost its hold upon the way to terra firma; that is reliable for 

depopulated community around it, has reiterated repairs and perennial paint, but 

within the last two or three years been for little else, unless it may be chronic 

renovated, and gathered a congregation bad taste ; and thati unless sooner burned 

anew, and become once more the foun- by a delect in a flue, i^ twenty-five years, 

tain of healing to the people, mainly at the outside, will relieve the patience of 

through the power of these associations the community by being superseded by 

over the minds of a few families. something more sensibje; when they 

It is undeniable, also, that there is a stumble weekly to the service within its 
silent testimony to religion itself in the walls, over ledges and boulders, which, if 
manner in which we construct God's put into the hands of a cunning mason, 
temples, which deserves to be considered, would not only improve the land by their 
If we build for Divine worship, as if we absence, but erect — ^for the same or less 
were presupposing that the use of our money — a home-made edifice, whicl^ would 
building would be temporary, do we tes- last for generations, and grow dearer, as it 
tify our faith in the eternity of God and grew more picturesque, as the years glide 
of his truth ? do we publicly declare our on. There is a church edifice in Tann- 
conviction that our children, and our ton, Ms., erected perhaps a quarter cen- 
children's children, to the latest genera- tury ago, by the Unitarian parish, whose 
tion, ought to worship Him as we do now ivied walls show how comely and even 
—as we ought (and might) if we erected beautiful a house may be that b built of 
our church edifices as though we had faith just such little homely stones as our far- 
to believe there would be a use for them mers pile into their fences to be rid of 
while the world stands ? Wordsworth them in the meadows. The same pleas- 
says, of King's College Chapel, Cam- ant town now has three other fine stone 
bridge; — meeting-houses, subsequently built by 
" They dreuni oot of a perishable home Other parishes ; demonstrating for its in- 
Who thiu could boUd '» habitants a good taste which we admire, 
and if learning is to be co-existent with and trust may be widely imitated, 
the earth, yet more is religion. And Where stone cannot be had, or is abso- 
there is no reason why those who believe lutely beyond the means at disposal, brick, 
in a Church without a Bishop, and a State if ^ell used, may take its place. But we 
without a King, should not adopt for their heartily agree with a remark in the " Book 
own temples, the language of the same of Plans," published in 1853 by the Com- 
poet, of the Cathednds of his land : — mittee of the Albany Convention, (p. 19) 

" Open yonr gaUevy* wttkuiUng piiea ! that " nothing less enduring than stone is 

Typei of ehe ipiritiial church which Qod hath really appropriate for the walls of the 

house of God ; nothing less enduring is in 

We go, then, alwi^ys for the most keeping with the enduring purpose of 

enduring material fof a meeting-house such a structure, or fit to be rendered 

which the circumstances of" the, case will, unto Him who b from everlasUng to ever- 

peonit AjA^inDt hearts have lasting ; and the erection of anything less 




1859^) Meetrnff-Eimtu. 205 

nlMUiitUl fin ■ booM of wonhip u to be to Hie beat demand* of all claims for use 
tolerated only fiam the necenity of the nude upon it The thitd point is to clothe 
CMB, or as a tempomj expedient** such an ioterior with an external aspect 

Evenirtheentcaatofameeting-houae that shall at once suggest its sacred use, 
of stODe exceed its ccet in wood; in the and be, at least, simple, appropriate, self- 
and, if well built, it will prove the cheap- consistent and reverent ; or, if funds per- 
eat And the very maasiveness of its mit, beautiful, elaborate and impressive, 
aspect gives it coraelinesa, however simple There is no danger, if the interior is Grat 
itastjle. Trinity Church, Boston, (1B29) adapted to Congregational uie, and the 
(/which the following is a fine represen- exterior developed from that, that we 
(Mian, thoagh very plain in its detaila, shall hare many cruciform and chancelled 
X remark. houses, with great pillon holding up the 

roof of the nave, yet rendering scores of 
sittings useless to their occupants. That 
folly is the growth of a logic which rea- 
•ODS the other way ; assuming that the 
cathedral style is the true one for the 
external form, aud then getting out of it 
as good an internal adaptation to our uses 
as the difficult circumstances of the cose 
will warrant 

We believe, that, in modified forms, 
almost all styles of the church architecture 
One thing, at least, may be considered of the past may be so adapted to Congre- 
aettted alike by Christian trathfolness and gational use as not to be incongruous wiih 
good taste ; that whatever material is used, it. This is particularly true of the Gothic 
should be honeilly used. If rough ashlar, A beautiful church-edifice — 94 feet by 47 
rough ashlar let it be, with joints neatly feet, with tower and spire of 200 feet — 
pwnted, and not smeared with plaster and last year erected, of white Stoorton stone, 
lined into the semblance of blocks ; if for Congregational use in Birkenhead, 
brick, let it be honest brick — not bedaubed oppowte Liverpoid, Eng., illustrates oar 
with mastic, that will begin to peel and remark. Here the chancel of 12 feet 
scatter as soon as it is dry; if wood, let it depih, is reUuned for its outside effect, 
be honest wood — not punted and sanded but used in its lower floor for a rear en- 
into a sand-stone that is sham-stone, and trance and two retiring lOoms, and in its 
that is incongruous with every idea of tecond story for an organ and choir gal- 
fealty to a God who sees through all dis- lery open to the house ; so that externally 
gnises, and demands truth lirst, midst, we have the old look, while all internal 
last, of bis worshippers. incongruity is .removed. This is some- 

3. External Style, A coal must be cut times done also with the cruciform style, 
according to its cloth 1 and the money that by using one transept as a chapel for 
can be rightly expended upon a meeting- evening service ; the other for a Sabbath 
house, must govern its external style, school room; and the chancel for the min- 
The first point is, if possible, to finish the ister's retiring room and chnrch library : 
building free of debt — if not, at first, in the structure thus having an external 
all its details, then far enough for use, Gothicity which, in its internal arrange- 
leaving to the subsequent increase of nients, isentmily shorn of all that isirrel- 
ability among those who shall worship in evant to simple Congregational use. A 
it, the duty of completing the design, beautiful Gothic house — 95 feet by 46 
The second point is to adapt the inteiur feet, with transepts of 28 feet, and side 



206 



MeeHnff'Simses. 



[Apbsl, 



spire cxf singular beauty, rising to a height 
of 235 feet— of ashlar and Caen stone, has 
lately been erected for Congregational 
use in Halifax, (Yorkshire, Eng.) in 
which outward correspondence with the 
canons of the Gothic style has been hap- 
pily blended with the internal requisitions 
of our method of worship. Here the tran- 
septs are pewed fronting towards the 
pulpit, at right angles to the pews in the 
nave, and the organ stands in the chancel 
arch, with a vestry in the rear. Accom- 
modation is afforded to 1040 adults and 
200 children, at a cost of £15,000, or 
about $75,000. 

The great canon of taste in regard to 
the external style of a house of worship — 
having adapted it to needf\il internal de- 
mands, and given it a non-secular look — 
is never to mix styles. Whatever be the 
form selected, let it rule every part, so 
that the House of God shall not stand 
among buildings as a circus clown stands 
among men in plain clothes, — a medley 
from which nothing, but good sense, is 
excluded. 

4. Steeple. This must be determined, 
as to be, or not to be, and if to be, how 
to be, mainly by the general external 
style. And yet it has importance enough 
to justify a separate word. We believe 
that a steeple 

*' whoae Sabbath belief harmonious chime 
Floats on the breexe— the heaTenlieet of all tounds 
That hill or Tale prolongs or multiplies," 

is an essential of the true idea of a build- 
ing for God*8 worship, especially in the 
country. In the city all do not need 
them. But the simple reminder of the 
duty of worship, and the sanctity of the 
day, which is lost to a community in the 
absence of a bell to call to the house of 
prayer, is worth too much to be sacrificed. 
Erase our church towers and spires, and 
what a cheerless and hcatl^en aspect 
would our landscapes take on ! 

Church-edifices had towers two centu- 
ries before they had bells, and it is diffi- 
cult to fix the precise idea which gov- 
erned the erection of the earliest At 



first, they were circular like that, nine 
stories high, of the three aisled basilica 
still standing at Ravenna (S. Martino in 
Cielo d'Oro;) and that leaning at Pisa. 
Pope Adrian I. (A. D. 772-795) buUt 
the first square tower in Rome, and they 
soon became common. That of Sta. Maria 
in Cosmedin, illustrates the early square 
style. It is perhaps 15 feet by 15, and 
110 feet high; without aperture for the 
first third of its height, then having two 
stories with two double round-topped win- 
dows on each side, followed by five stories 
with triple windows, of similar design, on 
each side, topped by a slight cornice and 
simple pyramidal roof, sloping at an angle 
of near 45 degrees. The Italians retained 
this chimney-like style through the middle 
ages, and never got beyond clumsily 
mounting an octagon, or a cone, upon the 
square. The Germans and French grad- 
ually pushed up the tower roof, first into 
gables ; then into a sort of blunt pike 
point; next into a sharp pyramid with 
heavy turrets supporting the comers ; 
and at last into a slender center spire 
enriched, and shooting out of a mass of 
clustering spirelets, planted upon the 
graduated buttresses of the base. In 
large buildings these were multiplied, 
until they sometimes, as at Laon, had six, 
besides subordinate pinnacles. The ca- 
thedrals very oflen have a principal one 
in the center of the cruciform structure, 
with one subordinate on each side of the 
west front of the nave. Forgetting that 
the shaping idea of a spire is an elon- 
gated roof, and that the very thought of 
a roof includes shelter, some German 
mason — anxious to do a clever thing in 
stone — ^introduced the idea of open work 
spires, of which the fine specimen at Fri- 
burg, 385 feet from the pavement, the 
spire itself being 155 feet, is the most 
pleasing single example, and the two less 
lofly twins at Burgos, (280 feet) and the 
two, still more diminutive, at Basle, are 
good specimens. All are done in the 
stone of which the cathedral is built — 
There are some miserable imitations, in 



1869:] 



Medu^Bimet. 



207 



wood, in New Tork city, wliicli look like 
magnified martin-boxes, designed by some 
feeble-mi Dded admirer of an old blunder. 
It hu happened that a mere tower has 
been rejected from a builder's plan be- 
cause of its unfinished look — as if fundi 
had failed for the completion of the de- 
Hgn. There is a slyle of rooting wbieb 
we bare seen which saves this, and whieh, 
(if well proportioned,) ma/ be made a 
pleanng feature. The following cut of 
the edifice belonging to the finit parish in 
Charlestowo, Ms., illustrates this — tbe 
tower being topped by a coni-'ave pyra- 
mid elongated by a cruciform linlal. The 
tower of the Prospect street church in 
Cambridgeport, Ms., has a tnmilar temii- 




l Teature in a 
tower, or spire. It should not slick up 
oat of the landn-ape m if some giant had 
driven it rndwise into the earth — not 
knowing what else to do with it ; but 
should rather seem to have grown np to 
its figure under just i^uch a law ol nature 
as always saves an old elm from looking 
like an intruder where it stands, A mod- 
erate tower is less haxanlous to public 
comelinea than a lofty spire, as well aa 



leas expeDnve and mora dnrable. We 
are apt to build our spirea too high. The 
average height of 29 of the spires of Lon- 
don of which we have notes, is but about 
]J5 feet The lofty cathedral steeple* 
which lop out iheir vast cruciform pilei, 
(spreading literally over acres of ground,) 
cannot safely be imitated in connecdoo 
with a house only large enough for the 
use of a congregation in speaking and 
hearing. It is a silly ambition which 
leads one pariah to try to outdo another 
in the height of its stecnle- We have \ 
spire in Boston which looks as if it had 
grown sallow and lean, in standing so long 
on tiptoe trying (o overtop Park streeL 
Until we build for ages, of stone— our 
spires, espeiially if elaborately ornament- 
ed with pilasters and mouldings, will 
be often vexing the tasle, and nearly 
always depleting the pocket It may 
lake a thouaand dollaii to stop a 
leak, Ihat the storm wind makes in a 
sin;{le scurry, anil ihlnkii nothing of. 

Much has lieen said, by wrilen 
who aspire to be authorities, against 
(hy plai'iiig of the sleeplt on the tor- 
ner of the buihling ; aii lieing against 
tliv ''aiions. Many of the Parish 
chiiri'hes of I.^ndou. built by Wren, 
tiowcter. have tlii> peculiarity ; even 
sotiielimeK when the lower does not 
sliind Hi ihi^ comer of two streets. 
M Andn-w'v. L'nilemhalt ; St. Bene- 
dict's, Paul's Wharf; St. Mary's, So- 
miTBi't ; St. Catherine Cree ; St. Mi- 
chael's, Paternoster ; Allhallows, tbe 
Ureal ; St Mary's Abcburt-h ; 8l 
Mary le Bow, Cheapside ; St. tiwitb- 
in'a; St. Mildred's ; St Margaret's, Loth- 
bury : St. Ma^y■^ Aldermary ; Allhallowi, 
lAHiibard Street, and others, are instances 
ot this: while St. Bartholomew's, by the 
Bank ; Allhallows, Bread Street; St Al- 
ban's. Wood Street; Si. Clement's, East 
cheap and St Nicholas', t'ish Street Hill, 
are instances where Wren built steeples 
on tbe corners of churches, in direct jux- 
tapOMtioR with adjacent buildings, and 
■as in Allhalkiwa— when the 



I 



208 Meeta^ffames. [Amt» 

corner was nnoccnped ! Probably peo- Manchester, N. H^ wbicb is nearly the 

pie have a right to build steeples where best for acoustic effetcs that we ever saw. 

they please, and if they can make them If we are not misinfbrmed, they are those 

look well on the comer of a building, so of the Federal Street House in Newbury- 

much the better, inasmuch as it, at least, port, which is famous for its ** whispering 

secures attention to the first canon in gaUery," but which is, in &ct, in eveiy 

regard to a spire, that it ought to start part, a '* whispering " house — so easy for 

visibly fVom the ground ; makes a less speaking and hearing, that a Psalm read 

absolute height produce a greater relatiye from the pulpit, in the lowest possible dia- 

effect ; and saves for use some of the best tinct utterance, is perfectly audible fhNU 

room in the house, opposite the pulpit, every seat We do not pretend to ofier 

which it would spoil if planted there. any scienti6c reason why this particular 

5. Proportion, The early tendency proportion should be more effective than 

was to great length. The proportions of any other, but we throw out the suggea- 

^e Parish churches in England still show tion as the result of no little thought, 

the same tendency. Hart suggests 90 inquiry and experiment of our own, and 

feet by 30 feet as the proportion for a to commend it to the thought of othen. 
nave. From minutes of 41 of the Parish 6. Pulpit. The less pulpit the better 

churches of London, we find that they for the preaching. And yet, as with us 

average not far from 80 feet in length, by it is the focus of eyes, and interest, the 

64 feet in width, by 84 feet in interior pulpit must not subside into absolute in- 

height ; or, roughly, their dimensions mgnificance. The best way is to have its 

would be not far from the ratio of 8, by platform raised from three to five feet 

5^, by 8^ This, we are satisfied, is not from the floor, according to the size of 

the best interior proportion for acoustic the house, the presence or absence of 

purposes, as it surely has not width enough galleries, &c. ; riuled in by a low balua- 

for its length, to seat socially and con- trade ; and itself so shaped as, from the 

veniently the greatest number of persons front, to have a sufiiciently dignified look, 

in a given space. The front rows crowd with the addition of just desk enough 

the rear ones too far from the speaker's above it to hold the Bible open before the 

voice, before as many are seated in such speaker. This desk top should slide, for 

a room as often wish to worship together, the purpose of ready adjustment to the 

If a strip of width were added, it would convenience of preachers of diff*erent 

bring its tier of people into ear-shot, with- height and scope of vision. The chairs, 

out robbing any, already present, of their or sofa, ought always to be upon the same 

privilege of hearing. But if width is level with that on which the speaker 

added, something must be reduced in stands when addressing the audience, so 

height, or too much vacant space is created as to avoid all possibility of trip or fall, 

to be comfortably filled by one voice. It would be well, abo, to have the pulpit 

After research and experiments run- provided with some ready but noiseless 

ning through the last fifteen years, we means of communication with the sexton, 

are of opinion that the proportion of 9, by ao as to enable the preacher instantly, and 

7, by 3, is as nearly perfect for acoustic without ostentation, to command his ser- 

purposes, and for the conveniencb of seat- vices at any needed point, and for any 

ing the largest number in a given space, desired purpose. In the new meeting- 

as any ratio that can be named. Thus a house of the Broadway Church in Nor- 

house 90 feet long, would be 70 feet wide, wich. Conn., this is efiected by a series of 

and 30 feet high, to the center of the arch slides on the inside of the desk near the 

overhead. These are the dimensions of speaker's right hand, which communicate 

the Fnoikttn Street meeting4ioaae in with similar slides in the sexton's teat, 



1869.] 



Medaiff-Bnues. 



209 



\ff meant of wurei painng under the 
floor. 

The best method of lighting the palpit, 
where gas can be had, is, probably, by a 
large cluster burner directly over it in 
the attic, whose light shall be thrown 
down» through a ground glass circle in 
the ceiling, by a powerful reflector, di- 
rectly upon the desk. A sod and diflused, 
yet sufficiently distinct, light may thus be 
gained which will not put out the eyes of 
speaker or hearers, nor intrude itself in 
any manner, upon their attention. Where 
gas cannot be had, an argand burner of 
laige size, fitted with a reflector, and sus- 
pended at a suitable height over the 
speaker's head, will be found a pleasant 
and successful expedient 

7. PewB. The original orthography of 
this word was pue^ from the Dutch puye ; 
and the earliest, were simply low wooden 
seats with wainscoting between tbem, 
much like our present style, without its 
comfortable slopes. The high sided and 
square pew is said to have come into 
TOgue about the time of the Reformation, 
and the story is that it was designed so far 
to conceal the worshippers within, that 
external eyes could not detect, on their 
part, a want of compliance with the order 
lo bow at the name of Jesus, in tlie ser- 
vice. The pew of the Lord of the manor 
in an English parish church resembled a 
private box in a theatre, and had a sepa- 
rate entrance from outside, and sometimes 
was furnished with a fire-place, a hat- 
stand and arm-chairs. The earliest pew 
now remaining in 'use, is said to be in 
Eddington St Mary, Northamptonshire, 
with the date of 1602. 

Circular pews are a real improvement 
for Congregational worship, because they 
arrange the audience socially and 8}'mpa- 
thetically together, while giving them the 
best position toward the speaker. Their 
increased cost is a drawback. This may 
be avoided almost wholly, and ttio same 
effect produced, by building the pews on 
the chords of their arcs, instead of on 
their arcs themselves. They will then all 

VOL. X. S7 



bo straight pewt in circular places ; at 
will be illustrated by a design near the 
close of this article. Pew doors are a 
useless, wasteful and slamming abomina- 
tion, that ou;;ht not to be toKrated in the 
House of the Ix)rd. Stuffing the backs of 
pews is a needless expense. If a suffi- 
cient backward slope is given to the rear, 
the pew will be easier for use with simply 
a good hair cushion on the seat than if 
upholstered throughout; and a good many 
dollars may be saved. 

8. Galleries. Meetinfj^-honses in cities 
and laigc towns, and wherever the popu- 
lation is sure to furnish hearers, and the 
expenses of worship are borne by the 
pews — should be built with galleries at' 
the sides and end, for economy's sake. 
Some additional hundreds of people can 
thus be accommodated, and the general 
rate of charge be reduced by their partici- 
pation, without one cent of additional 
expenditure for land, or for the current 
expenses of worship, and with but com- 
paratively slight increase of cost in the 
erection of the house. They should be 
pitched low, and should slope up from 
the front so as to make the rear seats 
desirable. They should have ample stair- 
ways, which, where possible, should be 
carried up visibly inside the house, at 
least in part, as adding to the apparent 
homogeneity of the whole structure, and 
preventing those who sit in the gallery 
from feeling that they are, somehow, rather 
second-hand worshippers. The pews should 
be as well finished, and as comfortable for 
occupancy as any in the house. Tht* gal- 
leries should be amply supported by iron 
columns underneath, so slender as not to 
interfere with vision below ; and their 
weight, with that of their contents, should 
not be trusted to brackets that may burst 
from their connections in the wall ; nor 
hung upon rods dragging from the roof- 
timbers. The parapet should be low, and 
the front thrown into some light and 
graceful form, so as to relieve what else is 
in danger of seeming heavy and clumsy. 

9. Organ and Choir. It seems to be a 



Ibcd &et tii^t Congregational ibging is mnrical cfflTeet ivlien iSnging done, and 

Co be reitored, at least in part, in the in the best position to lead the congregar 

order of the worship of God's house ; and tioa to congregational singing, when that 

when all tiie children shall learn to mng is attempted. And if the choir is ever 

as they learn to read, the people will be wholly disused, no vacant space suggests 

fitted for it We doubt if, in the present a want of fitneas between the present and 

generation, it can be successfully carried the past Probably fifty dollars would 

09 without the aid of a choir. The post- cover the additional expense made necea- 

j6oD/Of the oigan and its singing group sary by this construction of the organ ;"* 

ought, however, to be in part determined while an organ so placed would do itself 

by this probability, so as not to make the so much better jusfice than it can do 

house seem ill-built and passd, when the where it usually stands, that an instm- 

Cneral culture in song may perhaps ment of perhaps one-fifth smaller nee 
ing about the entire dismissal of choirs, would answer the same purpose. 
Is is very difficult for a congregation to 10. Subordinate Rooms, These ought 
keep in time with an organ in the old to include — where possible — for every 
place in the gallery — ^for the same reason church, a chapel for social, and prayer- 
that it would be difficult to unite in prayer meetings, a Sabbath School room — fitted 
with a speaker standing there. It is not with low seats, maps, pictures. Sec., &c. — 
ihe focus of the house. It b like a con- a committee room, and pastor's retiring 
gregation in one room and an organ in room, which should be as near the pulpit 
another, with a door open between. The as the plan can allow. In cities and 
oigan and choir ought to be as near the large towns, it is important also to have a 
focus of a house as possible, so as to be young men's room, to be used as a read- 
situated relatively to the people as the ing room, library, &c., &c., where the 
speaker is, that the audience may join in young men, who have no home but some 
the singing, just as they join in the Ian- poor boarding house attic, may feel at 
guage of prayer. The best place for the home, and be drawn to spend their eve- 
oigan, then, unquestionably b in a recess nings, away from the temptations of the 
beliind the pulpit, (arched toward the streets, the billiard rooms, and liquor 
house, so as to throw its volume of tone saloona Wherever land b abundant and 
ibrward,} and (when there are galleries) cheap, and means can be secured, these 
about midway between the level of the ought to be addenda to the main edifice 
platform where the preacher stands, and on the surface of the ground, and not be 
ihe level of the gallery floor. This has crowded into a sub-story. They may 
the advantage, among others, of releasing, take the outside look of transepts, or chan- 
fi)r sittings, that best part of the house eel, or both ; and so add to the exterior 
where the oxgan used to stand. There comeliness of the erection. Or they may 
are objections, however, to putting the , gob^uauy tu. ttnn(..«>t i. «».iy m>«D. 
chmr behind the pulpit Probably the nwDd.! by Riehani Stom wiiu., in Ui vaiubk 
▼eiy best plan would be to have the organ '•*«'• *«*> •»"*• " •>"* Choreh Katie.'' H* «7* 
fill this repess, and have its "action" "••"•> "1^1""^ '""M'llT' .^ " 

^— ' oqpM u» evident It aerres m a digniflurt and onw- 

brought out under the pulpit, to an organ- mental Uckground for Um puipii i it u out of the 

isf S seat fronting the pulpit, and between way, onrapying do pew-room : it to in the beet poe- 

(and in the range oQ the front row of -ftieiK-itkmfhr «and, poaHi^euitofWijohmj. 

'^ -^ 1 I. 1. • v offeoneiototbeopeaoluureh: tbeeholr.'vnttMoUMr 

pews. TTien let the choir sit on each hand, &mp.rtof the ooDgwfatlon, and tbdrmiule 

nde of him, in the front row, or rows, of mostalmoetneoesaarllj proTe eontagloue, and fpvcad 



pews. They wiU then be in the best ♦«> «»»e mt of ihe people. • • • a loweei 

'^ jx. ^ a .^ ^1. nigh)! preteet Iha ocgaotot tnm obfr ra t to p, eo the* 

position— they can^ turn toward tiie au- ^^^ ^^^ ^ ^ ^^ oonipteoogiMia. eiiher eC 

^•nce, when singing, if desirable — for ecgutot or eboir.^* 



1859^ 



Meetiuff-MMtat*. 



Vih 



be, 38 in some of the New York churches, 
so clustered together and upon each other, 
as to fill out an extra quarter of length 
for the main building, preventing that 
^ chunky " look which our meeting-houses 
are apt to have in a side view, especially 
when they are built with lofty spires. 
Where a basement position for these 
rooms is, however, inevitable, they must 
be — as they may be, by care and skill — 
wholly redeemed from any possibility of 
dampness and ill-ventilation. 

One of the most absurd illustrations of 
the way in which fashion has ruled the 
form of our ecclesiastical edifices, was the 
copying, by our country churches — where 
land was superabundant — of the tomb-lika 
** vestries " which were built, thirty years 
ago, under many city meeting-hOuses — 
from stress of poverty, and because ground 
had to be covered with silver before it 
could be got fi>r use. 

11. Lights Warming y and VentUation. 
From too many windows we are in danger 
of getting to have too few. It is better, 
however, to build comparatively few, and 
have their light, than to build so many as 
to be obliged to stop them up with blinds 
without, and blinds within. A pleasant 
effect is produced by a sash of ground, or 
enamelled glass, which subdues the glare 
of the light which it admits, to that soft 
radiance which is most congenial with the 
place of worship. There should be no 
cross lights, and no windows in the end 
behind the speaker. Gas lights should be 
placed overhead, as in the Tremont 
Temple, or as far out of the range of the 
eyes of speaker and hearer as possible. 

Good furnaces, that will not smoke, nor 
emit their gas into their hot-air flues, and 
that are so connected with the external 
air as to send up immense and continuous 
streams of pure air, heated only to a very 
low temperature, are the most successful 
heaters that we have ever seen for a 
meeting-house. But they must be put 
up, and afterwards managed, with skill 
and sense, or they may become an intoler- 
able nuisance. 



Ventilation, as a science, u yet too mnoh. 
in its infancy to warrant sure conclu- 
sions with regard to it In the summer it 
may be tolerably secured by the open 
windows. Tn the winter it must be effect- 
ed by furnishing the means of exit for the 
used air which is crowded up and out by 
the influx of fresh warm air from the fur- 
naces. This may be, at least in part, se- 
cured by ventiducts, at proper distances, 
in the walls ; with registers (which can be 
opened or closed at pleasure) opening 
into them near the main floor, and that of 
the galleries and near the ceiling, which 
communicate in the attic with a central 
ventilating shaft running up in the tower, 
or issuing from the roof in an ** Emer- 
son's " ejector. The upward delivery of 
this shaft must not however be left to 
itself; but must be aided by the heat of 
a cluster of gas burners (properly secured 
by circumjacent tin, from all possible 
risk of fire) which are brought within the 
sexton*s reach in the attic by a littie door 
opening into the ventiduct by their side. 
The new Broadway Church in Norwich, 
Conn., has some very perfect arrange* 
ments of this sort. 

12. Internal Adornment. This must, 
of course, be miunly controlled by the 
general plan ; a Gothic interior requiring 
one style of finish, and a Grecian, another. 
The great rule here must be to avoid all 
*' frescos'^ and other shams. Sham chan- 
cels behind the pulpit, which would be 
absurd if they were real ; sham cornices ; 
and sham pilasters; and shampaneb ; and 
sham domes ; and sham stone-blockings in 
the walls ; and sham oak, or black wal- 
nut, or rosewood, for pulpit or pew, or 
organ; all are an abomination to the 
truth-loving, and therefore out of place 
within walls dedicated to the God of 
truth, who has conmianded us to worship 
him ** in sincerity and in truth." Gravity 
and simplicity and sincerity ought to sit 
enthroned upon the very aspect of God's 
house. Some pleasant neutral tint upon 
the side walls — left a littie rough in the 
plastering, so as to take color weU-HUMl 



«4 

periutpa a Freneb gny overhead, c&n 
hardly Tail to pleaae better than the old 
•taring white, or the elaborate, an<l mcao- 
ingtess or incongruous Rouriahi-a of the 
Italian wall -painters. The gilt pipes of 
the organ, in the recen behind the pulpit, 
will save that end of the house from the 
blank anil ovei^broad look which it might 
Otherwise hare. If the whole finish of 
the houM) is of some of our native woods, 
lefV nnpaintod and Noiply oiled, so as to 
bring out the rich natural grain, an effect 
will be prodoced which will be very 
pleasing, at an expense very much below 
that of the old method of punting and 
graiaing. Chestnut is espedally adapted 
to. this. It is soft and easily wrought; it 
teaaons well ; its grain is richer than oak 
and of a very cheerful hue; and its fint 
cost is now more than one quarter leas 
than that of pine of the same quality. 

We close these scattering suggestions 
by a plui of our own, designed for use in 
the city, where land must be made the 
most of; where meeting-houses must be 
ocmely and attractive ; where everything 
ii e^ipensive; where the pew rents must 
pay the cost of worship j yet where there 
are thousanOs of people in humble pecu- 
niary circumstances, who wish, as well as 
need, the Gospel, but are unable to pay 
high pew rents ; and where, therefore, 
great skill must be used in shaping all the 
alemenls that come into the account to a 
result, which shall not repel the masses 
from the Congregational service. We 
give no advice to (hose who are able to 
build, and pay for, magnificent houses. 
The richer the house the better, if in good 
taste, and paid for ; with a service that 
may not entail a burdensome expense on 
the hearers. We speak for a dilTcrcnt 
sphere. The soldier who was rebuked 
for drunkenness, told Lis commanding 
officer that '* it was unreasonable to 
expect alt the Christian virtues for S7 a 
month;" and so we beg the reader to 
remember that all the architectural vir- 
tnea cannot be looked fiir in a bouse 
ftvgwedly planned to fumiili the most 



[Apni, 



3m least money. On 
design is a comprooiiBe between varioiu 
conflicting interests and elements, and ia 
diffidently presented as meeting the con- 
ditions of the case better, we think, than 
anything we have seen- elsewhere. The 
external elevation is (as below) a plun 
parallelt^ram, 100 feet by 83 feet, in oat> 
nde length and width, with a comer B[Hre, 
20 feet square at the base, and 1 7fi feet in 
height — intended to stand on the jnoMioa 
of two streets. 




FaoHT ViBW. 

The outside is brick, of the simplest 
Bomanesque; and the spire, (resembling 
that of the Church of the Pilgrims, Brook- 
lyn.) be^des having a very pleasing taper 
from the level of the beli-deck, is (we i^ 
it with confidence) at once the strongest 
and cheapest, of the height proposed, which 
canbebuilL From the brick gables above 
the clock, it is to be shingled with round- 
ended shingles ; and as there is neither 
moulding nor panel, nor pilaster, upon its 
whole surface, there are none of the ordi- 
nary chances for leakage, and so tat 
expensive repair. 

The building ia planned fi>r ft lot 100 



1869.] 



Meelalff-JBijiua. 



218 



Aetaqnan, thadirlerelofiriiicb ia fivm naces, toheat thebaiin,at«d«t%DedtolM 
oglit to ten feet below tluU of the (treat, placed at e. e. 

Advantage ii taken of thii lact to intro- The arrangement of tlie main andito- 
dnce a baieiDent (of 13 feet in the clear) rinm will be nnderstood from tlie fbllow- 
wluch is whotlj above ground, except iog plan- 
wbere tfae street abot* agwnit iti front ; a 
green-banked ilope, frnn the ridewalk 
beight of the inner edge <£ each uda of 
the lot to it* level, giving the ride wiadows 
of the basement ^ and light. The Ibl- 
lowing cat will show the general arrange- 
ment of this lower story. 





The main stairs leading down, are in 
the tower. These condnct to a dde pas- 
si^, having on the left the Tonng 
Hen's Room, 3S feet 6 inches, hj 21 
Ibet. Still further, it leads to the Infant 
School BoMU (81 feet 6 inches, by 18 feet) 
and on the left, turns a right angle toward 
the Chapel, 60 feet by 4d feet; and 
the main Sabbath School Room, (ST feet 
by SI feet 6 inches} on the right. Stwn 
(d) lead from the rear entrance of the 
b<nse down to the Minion School 
Boom, (31 feet 6 inches, by IS feel) ; and 
a aeparste flight takes the little cMIdren 
down into their room, safe from the msh 
ofthe main school. These rooms may all 
be thrown together by ^>eoing sliding 
doon (x, x,x) so as to accommodate 1 1 00, 
»r I !00 children. The Chapel is designed 
to seat 42S, and may be enlarged at any 
moment by being thrown into connection 
with the Young Men's Room, or the main 
Sakbadi School Boob. Two large iar- 



ACUITURIL-U. 

The veatibnle explains itself^ and lead* 
directly to the fonr aisles, and, by ataiia 
in the tower, and in the right corner, to 
Ae gallery lloor. The pews are straight 
pews in circular places ; to be bAlt, aa 
■n^ested above, upon the ehoida of their 
arcs, instead of npon those arcs them- 
selves. I An entrAncs Irom the side street, 
cuts off* a ten foot rear passage, which has 
Stairs (c) to the left gallery, (d) to the 
Mission School Room and Chapel be- 
low, and («) to the right gallery ; with 
doors, each wde of the pulpit, to the main 
floor J and with the Pastor's room { 1 7 feet 
by 9 feet) at its end. Thus easy accen 
may instantly be had to any part of the 
bouse, <Tom either end, and the double 
stairways favor the easy dispersion of the 
audience, and are essential to their safety 
in case of an alarm of Ere. The organ- 
ist's seat (o) is (as before su^ested) 
between the front pews; and the choir 
find accommodation in the pews on either 
nde, thus clustering around the pulpit, 
Knd gaining their most effective place in 
the very heart ofthe hotise. 

The galleries explain themselves. The 
organ fills the recess (some 30 feet by 10 
feet) behind the pulpit, and its floor is 
•levated periiaps three fbet above Uia 



m 






rAnHii 



TtMin (IS feet by 9 feet) over the Pastoi^s 
rpom, and anotlier, of the s^me dimen- 
aions, in the correapoading corner on the 
other side, over the rear entrance door. 
A second gallerj over that portion of the 
first, which occupies the breadth of the 
tower, and Ues between it and the stair 
lobby on the other nde, will prevent that 
vacant look which that end of the house 
would otherwise get fi^om the absence of 
the organ, and pleasantly seat a conader- 
ahle number, at a small additional cost 




The entire interior wood work — pews, 
pulpit, organ, gallery front, &c. &c., is 
designed to be of chestnut, simply oiled, 
and the pews to have no upholstering ex- 
cept their seat cushions. The ceiling is 
to be finished up some fifteen feet into the 
roof, in the center (less over the galleries) 
to save height of walls, and promote inte- 
rior comeliness, while from the peculiar 
framework of the roof strength is secured 
instead of weakness, by the process. The 
walls are to be hollow, with the plastering 
directly upon them. By all these various 
economies the cost of the house (we speak 
from the written estimates of experienced 
builders,) will be brought down to some- 
thing less than that which has been usual 
in this city for the erection of houses 
holding few, if any more, than one half 
the number who may find accommodation 
here. 



Itii seating, oapacitj will be as follows, 
allowing 18 inches for each individual^ 
viz: 368 pews^ containing on the main 
fioor, 1,105 ; in the main g^Ieries, 743 ; 
in the second gallery, 209; or 2,056 in 
all— no person of whom, in his seat, would 
be more than about 80 feet distant fi^mi 
the speaker's Ups. 

The average annual expenses of ihe 
various Congregational churches in Bos- 
ton do not fall short of $5,000; which 
sum must be raised from the pews»or 
rest, a mortifying, and sometimes griev- 
ous, and insupportable deficit upon the 
society. That sum divided among 800 
sittings— which- ift about the average num- 
ber (^ those which are taxable in the 
ordinary houses, makes an average rate 
for them of S6 25 each, or, for a pew of 
five sittings, SSO 75 ; which amounts to a 
practical veto upon the attendance of the 
thousands of families whose yearly inoome 
does not exceed $550, and who aver- 
age the ' payment out of that of $160 
for house rent, and are ^erefbre bound 
to consult the most rigid economy in every 
particular, yet who do not wish to adver- 
tise their poverty by sitting in a free seat, 
or a ijery mean one that is not free, in the 
house of God. 

This sum of $5,000, divided among the 
2,000 sittings which would be rentable in 
this proposed house, would make a yeariy 
average rental of only $2 50 each (or of 
$12 50 fbr a pew for five) which puts 
quite a difierent face upon the matter. 
It does not seem to us an extravaa:ant 
estimate, that, in such a sanctuary, a 
preacher might reasonably hope to have 
all needless impediments removed out of 
the way of its being said of him as of his 
Master, " the common people heard him. 
gladly." The experiment of a house re- 
sembling this will at least be tried, without 
delay, in this city, if a Church that has 
long pined under the old system of big 
debts and high rents, can rally help 
enough to their poverty from those who 
love our Lord Jesus Christ, here and 
elsewhere, to pay the bills of its cost 



itm:] 



Uimwy SMAm. 



318 



S00Kd of JniiTist to Con0rje0HfxonaIbis. 



Muttal Philosopbt : In^Mding the InUl^ 
tad, SennMUiet, and WiM, By Jbt^ 
Bamen, Putflutor oflmtOUotml ami MonU 
PkUompkym AnAtnt ColUge, Boston: 
Gould & Lincolii, 1859. |^. 690. Pjioe 
$1.50. 

We regard this Tolume as the best text- 
book in Psychology, for £Bgh Schools snd 
Colleges, which has yet appeared in our 
country. It is more comprehensiTe in its 
scope, more logical and exhaustiTe in its 
classification of the intellectual powers, 
and more symmetncal in the well propor* 
tioned derelopment of its Tarious parts, than 
any other similar manual. The style is 
terse and lucid ; usually simple, sometimes 
ornate, though nerer sacrificing precision 
and peirspicuity to the graces of rhetoric, 
yet abounding in such apt and felicitous 
Illustrations of abstruse points, as to be 
always intelligible and interesting to an 
ordinary reader. The author has simpli- 
fied those metaphysical questions, which 
are too often discussed in an obscure style, 
burdened with scholastic technicalities, re- 
pulsive to the dementary learner. In this 
tespoot, his woriL presents a marked con- 
trast to aaotlier *• Psydiology for Schools 
and Colleges," latdy issued, which an 
U rrevc i e u t and impatient critic has said 
'* you can read as well backwards as for- 
wards," and firom which we quote a single 
sentence as a gem of transparency. ** This 
identification of the reciprocal modification 
of both the recipient organ and that which 
has been receiTed, is prseiuly what is meant 
by sensation." It would not be strange if 
such a style should suggest to the learner 
the Scotchman's definition of metaphysics: 
** Metaphysics is when he that is listening, 
dinna ken what he that is speaking means, 
and he that is speaking dinna ken what he 
means himself." 

The book before us is no mere compila^ 
tiout and shows few traces of the scissors. 
Each topic has evidently passed through 
the crucible of the author's mind, and the 
work embodies the results of patient invea- 
tigation and eztensiTe rtaffing, and erinoei 



nice discrimination and philosophical acu- 
men, and is marked by candor and foimess 
in the presentation of the yiews and argu- 
ments which the author controTerts. The 
historical ejutome of doctrines gives a briet 
yet valuable compend of the literature df 
the subject. Hie analysis of each chapter, 
and the italicised headings of the subdivl* 
sions, will facititati* reviews and enhance 
its value to the student. The dassifieation 
of the Intellectual powers is new and ad- 
mirable for its simplidty, thot&gh we can- 
not accept his views of Consdousness, 
whidh he intimates is a state, and not a. 
foculty of the mind. This view, though 
sanctioned by some authority, in our judg- 
ment impairs the practical value of the 
book. Making this faculty always invol- 
untary and necessary in its action, he 
degrades the character of the only unerring 
witness of all oiir mental phenomena, and 
fails to indicate the true mode of questioning 
it, and the importance of heeding its testi* 
mony. Consdousness, it is true, exists in 
all men, but it is more or less distinct and 
vivid as it is controlled by the will. Says 
Cousin, **yery few know themsdves per- 
fectly, because they make use of Consdoua- 
ness without applying themsdves to perfect, 
unfold and understand it by vduntary 
effort." It is a foult of this treatise that it 
obscures this ** light of all our faculties," 
and rejects that " philosophic and artificial 
consdoixsness," which, as Coleridge says, 
*lies beneath, or, as it were, behind the 
spontaneous.' By a happy inconsistency, 
however, Prof. Haven often uses language 
which dearly recognizes consdousness as 
a distinct power, and admits its importance. 
His devdopment of the subject of the 
will, is full, able and discriminating, how- 
ever much we may differ from his conclu- 
sions. No topic in Mental Philosophy is 
of greater practical interest. Aside from 
its obvious rdation to Theology, it under- 
lies the whole sulject of Education. Cole- 
ridge used to repeat, with much emphada, 
the aphorism of NovaHs, «« that a p^ifotitly 



^ 



S16 IMerwry jf/Mm. [AnxL, 

educated chaxacter is litde else than a per- men ; or that ** if he had gone" in a certain 
fectly educated will." The training of the direction, ** he wonld haye" found certain 
will has not been duly appreciated in the things, — ^llke James's ** solitary horseman" 
work of education. It is an excellence of who *< might have been seen." And yet, 
this treatise that it gives prominence to the by a closer study than usual in this hurry- 
educational bearings of the several topics ing age, the reader will continually find 
discussed, and the true mode of developing light thrown upon some act of Milton*s 
the fiaculties of the mind. We are not sur- Ufe or genius, even in details which, at first 
prised to learn that this work is already appearance, seem entirely apart from the 
adopted in all the State Normal Schools of great poet's life. 

Massachusetts, and in some of our Colleges, Among the various incidental matteta 

and that it has had a steady and increasing so excellently presented in this work, art, 

sale. college life in the early part of the I7th 

Tia Life of Johk Milwn : yarraUd m century, a survey of English Uterature in 

eomueiion with the PoUtieal, Eoelenattioal, the time of Ben Johnson, the then state 

and Literary History of hit Time, By of the Continent, the Scotch resistance to 

Damd Mateon, M.A,, Profeawr of EngUeh Bpiscopacy, (as interesting as a romance,) 

Literature tn University Coueae, London, ^, ^ ^JZ -o ^ ai ^ ^ 

With Portraits and Spe^m^f his Hand' the preparatory scenes of the Revolution of 

mitinff ai diferent Periods. Vol. I. 1640, and the administration of government 

1608-1639. Boston: Gould & Lincoln, by Laud and Wentworth; and not the 

1859. 8vo., pp. 668. Price $2.76. je^st interesting to us is the description of 

This elegant volume is the first of three, the rise and condition of Puritanism, as to 

the second to extend to 1660, and the third which, we confess, this work has given us 

to 1674. <* It is intended," says the pre- new ideas, — as it has of Williams. Laud, 

£sce, ** to exhibit Milton's Life in its con- Wentworth and Buckingham, the men 

nections with all the more notable phenom- who were unwittingly, but Providentially, 

enaoftheperiod of British history in which foimding a new empire in America, and 

it was cast, — its state-politics, its eccled- preparing the way for constitutional liberty 

astical variations, its literature and specu- in England. To OTir readers interested in 

lative thought." Nobly does the author these matters, this book is indispensable. 

fulfil his purpose. Unwearied industry in 

searching through the dry records out of A MBMoni of the Life AKn Tiioa of 

^ , , ? . * V J ^. * • ^■^^ Isaac Backus, A. M. By Ahah 

which history is to be drawn ; patient m- ^^^^^^ ^J.Z)., Professor of Christian The- 

vestigation into the knowledge of the under- ology in Newton Theoiooieal Institution. 

workings of a period unsurpassed in inter- Boston: Oould k Lincoln, 1869. 12mo. 

est in British history, and of which the PP* **^- ^^ *^'^^' 

present time is peculiarly prolific in new Two years ago the "Backus Historical 

sources of information ; and the fullest de- Society," a Baptist ISstorical organization^ 

tail of all concurrent events which have, requested Professor Hovey to prepare a 

even in a remote degree, affected Milton, new edition of Backus' Ecclesiastical His- 

constantly appear. A flood of historical tory of New England. Preparation for 

knowledge is here presented to the public, that work suggested the desirableness of a 

As an inevitable consequence, however, previous account of the Life and Times of 

of the author's fulness, the work has in Backus himself. Hence the present vd- 

this very merit, its greatest defect. The ume. 

author, able as he is. finds it difficult to The Society was fortunate in its selec- 

group about Milton the events of which tion both of author and subject. Few 

Milton was not the center. Hence we are men are as well fitted for such a work as 

frequently losing sight of Milton as we read Professor Hovey. as the volume itself bears 

graphic episodes of public affairs or bril- evidence. Written in an agreeable style, 

Uant sketches of cotemporary statesmen or sufficiently historical, but not full of tedi- 

scholars. We are too often reminded that ous details, evidently a woriL agreeable to 

MUtan ** might have seen" certain eminent the writer, — ^it opens with a aketch of the 



xm,i 



IMtrary NoHeet. 



217 



old Cqngz^gatiopd ^itam in Connecticut 
prior to the birth, gf Backus (which took 
place Jan. 9, 1724, at Korwich, Ct., he 
being the son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
[IHcy] Backus, and a descendant of Got- 
emor Winslow) ; describes his couTersion, 
which took place in tSe time of the Great 
Awakening; delineates the causes existing, 
in the common reception into the church 
ef persons who gave no satLs&ctory eri- 
dence of couTersion, which made Backus 
l|nd many others Separatists ; shows how 
ihid Separatist churches (so called because 
not allied to the State,) themselres soon 
divided on the question of Baptism ; and 
how: Backus became, after a perples^ed and 
somewhat inconsistent process, a decided 
Baptist; narrates his settlement, difficulties 
and final success at Middleboro', Ms., 
where the Baptist church of which he died 
the pastor was gathered Jan. 16th, 1756 ; 
glTes a Tery foil and interesting account of 
the long struggle in which Backus was 
peculiarly and efficiently prominent, which 
resulted in the final separation of Church 
and State in Massachusetts ; and speaks of 
his labors as a pastor, erangelist, counsd- 
lor, and historian, until his death, which 
took place Not. 20, 1806. 

Were we to take any exception to this 
work, it would be that the author nahirally 
considers his theme as the center of the 
cirents of the time, whereas it was a mere 
•oddent* The laws making the Church a 
State charge, which really form the great 
Bulvject of the work, were not designed 
merely for Baptists, but were general in 
their character, and based on the approved 
principle that all ought to pay for the sup- 
port of religious institutions. A much 
larger number of people of no religion, 
than of Baptists, were affected by them, 
and the .adyantage which many took of 
laws favoring the latter, serves to explain 
some cases of apparent hardship, — as in the 
word <* conscientiously*' occurring in these 
laws, of which great complaint was made. 
But, for the importance of the subject, the 
candid and generous spirit of the work, and 
tho ability of the author, this book is well 
worthy the attention o^ all who desire a 
better knowledge of our ecclesiastical his- 
tory* M altogether tha mpst efliaotive pit- 

TOI-X. 



sentation, on the Baptist side^ of matten 
which all now deplore. 

A COXMBNTA&T OV TBI EpISTLB TO TBS 

RoMAirs, by Momb Stuort^ laU Prtf. ai 
Anthver. Edited and nviud by R, D, C. 
Robbms, Prof, in MiddMmry CotUge.-^ 
Fourth edition. Andover : W. F. Draper, 
1859. 12mo., pp. 614. Price $1.60. 

The foanereditians of this work are well 
known, and will be found well thumbad 
upon many a ministerial shell For ita 
learning and for its spirit, it retains and 
will long retain its hold upon the respect 
and use of Christian scholars. This edition 
is enriched by some editorial condensation 
as well as addition, and, on comparing it 
with OTir old copy, we decidedly prefer the 
shape in which it now is, to that in which 
we have been accustomed to consult it* Its 
price is reduced, by the change, whidi is 
also a good thing in a book. 



Catbarinb: By the author of ** Agnm 
the UtOe Key." Boston : J. E. Tilton & 
Co., 1869. 12mo., 192 pp. Price 76 cti. 

'* Catharine" was a dat&ghter, nineteen 
years of age, whose djring hours were filled 
with the sweetest peace by the presence of 
her Redeemer. How she died, "more than 
conqueror," — The fear of death alleviated, 
— The search for the departed, — ^The silence 
of the dead,— The Redemption of the body, 
— form the channel of thought. ** By the 
author of Agnes," is enough to tell how 
pure, how sweet, and how charming is this 
work firom the same heart. 

A fourth edition of Aowxs ahd tsb 
Little Key, (from the same publishers,) is 
noticeable not only for its outward beauty, 
but for the extract from the edition recently 
published in England, which was dedicated, 
by permistdon, to the Bishop of London, 
and to which a beautiful and touching pre- 
face was written by the author of ** Memo- 
rials of Captain Hedley Vicars." 

Tbb State op^tbs IxpBKrrEXT Dead, — 
By Ahah Hovey, D. D., Prof, of Chriet" 
ton Theoloyy in the Newton Theohoieal /n- 
etitution. Boston: Gould & Lmcoln, 
1869 : 16mo., pp. 168. Price, 50 cts. 

* An essay read before the Conference of 
Baptbt Ministers of Massachusetts, Oet. 
27, 1868, and published at^ their request; 
the drift of which is, unda a matt ooift- 



pidMnuTeplui, to icbtit the idea of Uie prinWinconneotlm'iritbTM AleSt^Tiniii 

annihilitioii of the wicked, vhich is now from the Coligregational 'S.jma BooJL 
&i4nelitly bmnght forWud. The line a Tiie page i« tha deareM »nd moK beBuEi< 

UwugH (which is ficriptuial thionghoiit,) ful we han ever leen, and the selectlbn al 

la;— the soul made otiginaUyiacoiraptibls; tunes we regard as adminble forC6iig» 

tltd iB^Aniiig of "dead" Ht ihe pnaltr of ^onal nsgiiv. -The good old mdo^ 

^i «rt emUdotwiiM* df liftpeMtttlt KiuU arc tliere. that ate ineflacaUy aasoda t ed 

tt tbb Aat^ 1iMw«U MffilydcMk ind tha with out moDories of funily wotalup U 

jM^tWiit', Ihelt MiibltnteM afld liMCftd childhood, ando^Oote sodalrdigiouaMN 

tiiiilltlon U ttHf SnU NMet BIbnbal ob^ "c» in xhich we first took an intctett 

jmMa cdtaMdend. etpuimj tUat At Oi They appal to the gmenl heart, and in 

taUflldlatitm Mheite ; and the ohJCMnU «t think thi^ book, whicli cont^na than, idlt 

NHsbn. The main TClBe of IhU #oik iN ta he found B&u»t)ly adapted to Oe mil 

mklM UtiUjiU ot Scriptmc pkiMgca, ta of worship. 

4lMi an «t«dleat iiidtx Mtea. . „ ^ . „ _ . _ ^, 

^ A HUtor^ Df 6» Old Soim FxjcMk 

iSij Sew CosroMOiTioiTAL Htkw AMD MmTtwo.- ttdw read*, U ftdl of fte am 

S',SS.^.^:S'p"?,iS «»>T ..««.., Wa».«. -«»«-. 

»Co. 1868, luge Bto. pp. 21S. knawledgt (tf it, we cOmmena It in adraae*. 

A copy of tM* iA« eahdidate for the While the Works of the late Dr. Taylw 

ftTOr of the churches, is handed us Just as aie pnblishisc, a Memoir of Si. BenMit 

Kiii riieet is goiitg to pt«s*, when w« can Tyler is also in press, with snch tdeotiona 

l^iit space only fbr a very biitf notice. from his sermons and lectures as will pre- 

It e6ntaini44 Long metet tttnes; ED in tent fail doctrinal eyetem. The two caiit(i>- 

04aunonmet«r; 91 iii ShWtmetet.andM versialiats will thus again appear brfbie 

In other meaanrea— 171 in all. TheM lue the public— together. 



CongrejjationsI ^etrolojgis. 

, Hn. HASTHA iU&Abtftn SEa. bleMetid. 8hfe wMRSned til her«!dU«t. 

CblAVE, wife of fter. JamnC. ^eagraTe, trsrm ih Aer atlKcKnUirta, MMdfiItt ik Ub 

and daughter of the Inte John ClAA df frteiiaddpi, fevghtbg tttw«M ttoOB Oft 

Providence, died at Scotland, BnSgetriiitt, hM ilijdred Ittr ; jiUrs tn idl her c onviN* 

Hs., Stpt. 17, 18$B.- Bbt wM hoiti at tim, Ud watohftil a*«Mier ftwafasaMMud 

Ptrraondi, Vt., Msrch IS, 1S30. eoftda«. 

She was h conscienlioni, trntfa lovi«g Skilled and taneAil to her doiMMiD aa> 

'ahd obedient cUId. RenetVed by the rangemcnts, she made home attramin aad 

^raes of Etod, she became self-diitmit- happy. She loved the empLeymenti <tf the 

fnl, and humble. Yetshe waa diatingtUBh- household, and in the intimtioiea of tha 

ed through life for her oheerf ul temper and lamily circle, in her relations as a daughtar, 

interest in the welfoie of others. Arrived a sinter and a wife, her virtues ahone with 

at womanhood, she was found to possess peculiar lustre. 

a delicate constitution, but an energy of Aa a pastor's eompanion she never for- 

character not often surpassed i her mind got the welfare of his people, and that 

WS4 active, vigorous and admirably bal- claim upon her legari] and lAectioh. tt 

anced ; her judgment clear and sound, was her constant desire tobene&t and eern 

She exhibited a rare knowledge of human tbetn. 'While shrinking from no duty 

nature and a keen insight into the motives which she owM diKcfly to tli«m, die vrtt 

and qualities ot others. &*r delicate ap- abiight ttHeir good, by heartit} BympatU- 

pieci^tion of 'otheH' f^hts, m Well A* lote stng with her hit^Umd in all ^flbrta In 

ffir ItiAi KApptite^ ini^ 4i^ 'a -UOc cotn- flikr'Uafiat 'ttH eoBpAMtatt Mfti BUa h 

-^(%,'ll^tK(KM «fatt(Utt^,«i'teKMi- «Vtfy 'ilidMl <<Me««tr. ktft ^bbMr^^lM 




.«.' 




^19 



<^^ of ip ambMfkdpr of Qji^iifit, and the 
fat that ftw dattes are more Responsible 
thi^i those of her who Is appointed to sym- 
l^thiae and coimsd with him in his high 
celling. 

l>uHng the last months of her life, her 
mterest in the spiritual good of the people 
grew intense. Man/ precious messages of 
love and entreaty were sent from her sick 
room. 8he desired that her protracted and 
dUtressIng illness should in no way inter* 
toe widi her husband's labors. She was 
aecustomed to say: **Itemember your 
tniit; preach Christ; preach fSidthMly. 
Do not let me pieTcnt your doing all in 
your power for the good of your flock." 

During her years of suffering her mind 
was sometimes oppressed with a sense of 
\ia own sinfiilnesB, apd she seemed occa- 
sionally to lose her grasp upon the Al- 
mighty ann* 9he dealt unspaxingly with 
her own heart, and thus attained to a high 
degree of self-knowledge. Though habit- 
iia^y dieerf^ and happy» die was never 
satisfied with hersdf . 3ut during the last 
weeks of her nckness, all other feelings 
were apparently orershadowed by peace 
a^ boly joy. She frequently exclaimed, 
'* Christ is very precious ; J. can trust Him 
wboUy!" Sdf-abaslng and self-renounc- 
ing, she had often extracted comfort from 
the blessings which others enjoyed, and had 
found happiness in comforthig those who, 
)ike her, needed the oil of consolation and 
the peace of God. As death drew near 
^ felt more and more the surpassing rich- 
ness of the Bedeemer^s love. But the 
sIsfM^ scene — tha$ was the most memora- 
ble of aU. She gazed up steadfasdy into 
heaTcn. Her fece shone as it had been die 
Csee of an angel. She said, •' I see i^y 
Saviour, I shall soon be with him ! Dp 
not mourn, mother, I see fether ! " Soo^ 
she feU asleep in Jesus, without a gasp or 
groan. 

Dea. HOSES "WEBSTEIt. This lament- 
ed servant of Christ departed to his rest 
Sept. 20th, 1858. He was bom in Haver- 
hill, "West Parish, Ms., Jan. ^9, 1782, on 
the spot where his days were spent — a 
place endeared to him by the piety and toil 
of his ancestors, l^s parents were mem- 
bers of the same Church to which he be- 
longed, and bo|ih of )iis grandfitt^iers were 



It will be seen that the active period of 
Dea. Webster^s Hfe occurred in days when 
religious intolerance, in this part of tlie 
country, was bearing some of its bitterest 
fruits. The religious Society, with whose 
views and feelings he sympaUiized, did not 
escape a ftdl share of the evils which many 
of the Orthodox churches in New England 
then endured. At the time he made a pub* 
lie profession of religion, March 1823, tha 
Congregational Church, in HaverhiU West 
Parish, had not had a settled Pastor for 
nearly a quarter of a century. They had 
been compelled to share their house of 
worship with three other denominations^ 
some of whom were not of evangelical sen- 
timents. Still there was always a little 
band who preserved their integrity. Their 
Church covenant and articles of feidi re- 
mained the same as Milien the Church was 
organized, in 1735. On the days in which 
the pulpit was occupied by one who did 
not, as they thought, preach a pure Gospelt 
they quietly withdrew. About the period* 
however, to which we allude, (1823,) they 
were fevored with the more stated services 
of a Godly minister. IHs labors among 
them were greatly blessed. The Church 
increased in numbers and influence, so thi^t 
in 1826, a man of their choice was, as th^ 
hoped, permanently settled over them i^ 
the ministry. But these indications of in- 
creasing prosperity were only made the oc- 
casion for arousing anew the elements of 
opposition. A writer in the Bagton lU^ 
^rder, a little subsequent to this period, in 
describing the events which then occurred, 
says : <* By the help of some like them- 
selves from other parishes, the enemies of 
the Cross gained the ascendency, and voted 
to dismiss the Orthodox minister. Soon 
they went ferther, and voted to close the 
doors of the sanctuary against him. The 
following spring, the Church got into their 
new house of worship, and their opposexs 
set up worship in the old house. But here 
their troubles did not end. They were 
taxed, with the rest of the parish, for the 
space of two years, for the support of Uni- 
versalist preaching in the old house, thdr 
proportion of the tax being quite two-thirds 
of the whole." Amid these trials their 
minister left. But in the following au- 
tumn, <* they gave a call to an evangelical 
mim to become their Pastor, and proposed 
to t|w parish to fet|le ^ ip, *«W JWBfV 



220 CongregatumcH Neerctdgy. [Apbi^ 

house, and support him themselTes without the eause of Chxist, at the time xefened to. 

any parish tax, leaving the parish to settle he privately became responsible for pay- 

ths candidate of their choice in t